Comments on: Native American Gaming Blows Out Vegas – WHAT ??? http://www.bloggernews.net/17489 High-quality English language analysis and editorial writing on the news. Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:15:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: William Palermo http://www.bloggernews.net/17489#comment-36571 William Palermo Thu, 07 Jun 2007 19:52:13 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/17489#comment-36571 Wrong Numbers! While I agree with Brian's premise that many Indian gaming installations are well run, most do not approach the level of sophistication required by commercial casinos that operate in highly competitive markets - but they're getting there with the assistance of the growing availability of consulting services. Moreover, according to the NIGC, Indian gaming generated about $25 billion in net win in 2006, and is growing at a faster pace then commercial casinos nationwide; however, Las Vegas casinos (Strip, Downtown, Boulder & North) generated about $8.5 billion, and the state about $12.6 billion. Nationally, total gaming revenues for commercial casinos and racinos in 2006 were roundly $35 billion in 2006. Wrong Numbers!
While I agree with Brian’s premise that many Indian gaming installations are well run, most do not approach the level of sophistication required by commercial casinos that operate in highly competitive markets - but they’re getting there with the assistance of the growing availability of consulting services. Moreover, according to the NIGC, Indian gaming generated about $25 billion in net win in 2006, and is growing at a faster pace then commercial casinos nationwide; however, Las Vegas casinos (Strip, Downtown, Boulder & North) generated about $8.5 billion, and the state about $12.6 billion. Nationally, total gaming revenues for commercial casinos and racinos in 2006 were roundly $35 billion in 2006.

]]> By: Marlene http://www.bloggernews.net/17489#comment-36554 Marlene Thu, 07 Jun 2007 19:14:40 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/17489#comment-36554 Brian does a good summary. Who really benefits from Indian gaming operations, anyway? Most of the big gaming operations are located near metropolitan areas where the majority of employees are non-Indian; most of the big gaming operations have compacts with the state they are located in and agree to sharing of revenues; most of the big gaming operations have become the largest employer and payer of employment taxes in their counties; most non-Indians can't stand to see "any" minority prosper; most of the supplies and services that are needed to run a successful gaming operations aren't available on an Indian reservation, so who gets to earn millions from Indian gaming operations? Non-Indian entities, of course! Blowing out Vegas, I don't think so! We still like to go to Vegas because what goes on in Vegas stays in Vegas and we don't want to change that. Please, this is 2007 so let's end the war on American Indians. Brian does a good summary. Who really benefits from Indian gaming operations, anyway? Most of the big gaming operations are located near metropolitan areas where the majority of employees are non-Indian; most of the big gaming operations have compacts with the state they are located in and agree to sharing of revenues; most of the big gaming operations have become the largest employer and payer of employment taxes in their counties; most non-Indians can’t stand to see “any” minority prosper; most of the supplies and services that are needed to run a successful gaming operations aren’t available on an Indian reservation, so who gets to earn millions from Indian gaming operations? Non-Indian entities, of course! Blowing out Vegas, I don’t think so! We still like to go to Vegas because what goes on in Vegas stays in Vegas and we don’t want to change that. Please, this is 2007 so let’s end the war on American Indians.

]]> By: Brian http://www.bloggernews.net/17489#comment-36527 Brian Thu, 07 Jun 2007 18:06:27 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/17489#comment-36527 Alternative views always appreciated. Especially when they show the short sightedness and ignorance reflected by comments such as yours. Yes, the Native American community is the smallest minority. And they have always been subject to laws passed to "benefit" them. Ever heard of the government policy of assimilation? How about termination? Do your homework. Those tribes that have successful gaming operations are clearly in the minority. Those that have had success were blessed with ideal commercial locations. Most of the tribes were located to regions that were designated for their remoteness, as well as their lack of resources. Most of those tribes that were fortunate enough to have resources, were robbed of the rights to develop those resources. As for "buying politicians", tribes that have the resources to become involved with the political process are excercising a protected right that belongs to, and has been excercised by every single interest group ever created. Not only is it a right that they can excercise, it is one that they should excercise. Most important inaccuracy-- tribes do pay taxes. On the Federal level for certain, and on the state level, they pay as well. The difference is that at the state level it is not called a tax, but a "contribution", which is calculated as a percentage of gross revenues-- which smells of a tax. If it looks and walks like a duck, it's a duck. Isn't there something more constructive both of you can do with your time than spread clearly uneducated opinions about a group of people that have suffered horrors and tragedies worse than anything either of you could ever imagine? You should be cheering them on for their ability to hold onto their identities against all odds, and finally find a way to overcome. Alternative views always appreciated. Especially when they show the short sightedness and ignorance reflected by comments such as yours. Yes, the Native American community is the smallest minority. And they have always been subject to laws passed to “benefit” them. Ever heard of the government policy of assimilation? How about termination? Do your homework.
Those tribes that have successful gaming operations are clearly in the minority. Those that have had success were blessed with ideal commercial locations. Most of the tribes were located to regions that were designated for their remoteness, as well as their lack of resources. Most of those tribes that were fortunate enough to have resources, were robbed of the rights to develop those resources. As for “buying politicians”, tribes that have the resources to become involved with the political process are excercising a protected right that belongs to, and has been excercised by every single interest group ever created. Not only is it a right that they can excercise, it is one that they should excercise. Most important inaccuracy– tribes do pay taxes. On the Federal level for certain, and on the state level, they pay as well. The difference is that at the state level it is not called a tax, but a “contribution”, which is calculated as a percentage of gross revenues– which smells of a tax. If it looks and walks like a duck, it’s a duck.
Isn’t there something more constructive both of you can do with your time than spread clearly uneducated opinions about a group of people that have suffered horrors and tragedies worse than anything either of you could ever imagine? You should be cheering them on for their ability to hold onto their identities against all odds, and finally find a way to overcome.

]]> By: Clark http://www.bloggernews.net/17489#comment-36497 Clark Thu, 07 Jun 2007 16:51:42 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/17489#comment-36497 I sincerely hope your prophecy does not come true. If you haven't noticed, Indians are buying politicians right and left. If the trend remains unchecked, you will soon see laws passed that benefit only the smallest minority in this Country. As it is, they pretty much get to pick and choose what laws they obey now, and they don't pay any taxes to speak of. The entire concept of Native American gaming is discriminatory and is detrimental to every other race and ethnic group in the United States. If you think Native Americans are our friends, take a look at what they will do to the price of natural gas in the lease renewal of the pipeline across their land. If they own so much of this nation's natural resources, why do they also need gaming and still receive government subsidies? I sincerely hope your prophecy does not come true. If you haven’t noticed, Indians are buying politicians right and left. If the trend remains unchecked, you will soon see laws passed that benefit only the smallest minority in this Country. As it is, they pretty much get to pick and choose what laws they obey now, and they don’t pay any taxes to speak of. The entire concept of Native American gaming is discriminatory and is detrimental to every other race and ethnic group in the United States.

If you think Native Americans are our friends, take a look at what they will do to the price of natural gas in the lease renewal of the pipeline across their land. If they own so much of this nation’s natural resources, why do they also need gaming and still receive government subsidies?

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