2006 Indian Gaming figures are out.

[Okla-homey]

The NIGC reports combined gaming revenues for all US tribes of $25 billion. That represents almost 11% growth since just last year. Also, that $25B was earned in just 415 tribal gaming facilities.

A considerable amount of research suggests the industry is not even close to the saturation point and has nowhere to go but up.

Frankly, I think it's great because the tribes spend that money to help their people and they spend it locally.

[mikeelikee]

Hmmm, a total of 415 tribal gaming facilities, and Oklahoma has approximately 85 tribal casinos. So doing a little extrapolation, about 1/4 of that total was earned in Oklahoma. Dang, let the tribes fix the bridges!!

[JohnnyMack]

Meh. Gambling brought to the people in this fashion isn't good for anyone. They're eyesores on the outside, they're trashy on the inside and most of the people ****ing away money inside those places have no business doing it in the first place.

I'd be fine if they all just went away.

[Okla-homey]

Hmmm, a total of 415 tribal gaming facilities, and Oklahoma has approximately 85 tribal casinos. So doing a little extrapolation, about 1/4 of that total was earned in Oklahoma. Dang, let the tribes fix the bridges!!

Oklahoma tribes are already giving Oklahoma 6% of the action. It's up to Oklahoma on where she spends it -- right now, it's claimed to be spent on publick skools.

[picasso]

yeah, the tribes have used that money for scholarships and I'm sure other things but still does not affect members directly.
more stuff and programs but you've got to wonder if any of that money is going into someone's pocket.

[Mjcpr]

Everything supposedly goes to public skools yet they always claim poverty and we're consistently in the bottom 10 in the nation in learnin' our youngins.

What gives?

:pop:

[Okla-homey]

Meh. Gambling brought to the people in this fashion isn't good for anyone. They're eyesores on the outside, they're trashy on the inside and most of the people ****ing away money inside those places have no business doing it in the first place.

I'd be fine if they all just went away.

I feel confident in stating it isn't going anywhere. That would require an act of Congress, and the donkeys who run Congress aren't likely to make any changes that would impact social services from wherever the source.

[picasso]

Meh. Gambling brought to the people in this fashion isn't good for anyone. They're eyesores on the outside, they're trashy on the inside and most of the people ****ing away money inside those places have no business doing it in the first place.

I'd be fine if they all just went away.
you mean the hot chicks in those ads and billboards aren't there???????



;)

[jk the sooner fan]

i'm told by a couple of gambling friends, that winstar doesnt pay out diddly squat to its gamblers

not sure if thats true or not, but if it is - they better enjoy their windfall while it last because their reputation will put them out of business

[XingTheRubicon]

So, if we get 6% of every Oklahoma Injun casino, and we get 7% of every dollar of all oil and gas sales in Oklahoma....

Why do our roads, and our teacher's pay suck?

[Okla-homey]

yeah, the tribes have used that money for scholarships and I'm sure other things but still does not affect members directly.
more stuff and programs but you've got to wonder if any of that money is going into someone's pocket.

I disagree. The list of programs directly benefitting individual tribal citizens is pretty extensive, at least among the Five Tribes with which I'm most familiar.

That said, wherever vast sums are involved, I expect there is always going to be a little going out the back door. That's pretty universally true.

[picasso]

So, if we get 6% of every Oklahoma Injun casino, and we get 7% of every dollar of all oil and gas sales in Oklahoma....

Why do our roads, and our teacher's pay suck?
look no further than the crapitol in OKC.

it's been a good one for decades.

[picasso]

I disagree. The list of programs directly benefitting individual tribal citizens is pretty extensive, at least among the Five Tribes with which I'm most familiar.


how so?

please essplain.

[Okla-homey]

i'm told by a couple of gambling friends, that winstar doesnt pay out diddly squat to its gamblers

not sure if thats true or not, but if it is - they better enjoy their windfall while it last because their reputation will put them out of business

The pay-out stats are available. I think you'd be surprised how high they are.

[Okla-homey]

how so?

please essplain.

things like tuition assistance, free legal services, tribal law enforcment, tribal foster homes and orphanages, tribal courts, free housing for the elderly, utilities reimbursement for those who qualify, jobs, job training, health care, prescription meds, nutrition services, etc., etc.

[picasso]

I knew a dude at art school who was from the Pequot tribe of Connecticut. This was in '93 and they were the first tribe to do the casino thing.
Small tribe and their members pocketed some of the revenues.

Here, the money goes to the tribes which are more or less big corporations and the chiefs are the crooked CEO's. That's the case in my tribe.

[JohnnyMack]

Here, the money goes to the tribes which are more or less big corporations and the chiefs are the crooked CEO's. That's the case in my tribe.

Shocking.



Not really though.

[picasso]

things like tuition assistance, free legal services, tribal law enforcment, tribal foster homes and orphanages, tribal courts, free housing for the elderly, utilities reimbursement for those who qualify, jobs, job training, health care, prescription meds, nutrition services, etc., etc.
I've seen none of that from my tribe. I was just on their website the other day.

Same goes for the Osage.

Again, I think some of it will benefit the members directly but it's still a long way off.

[Okla-homey]

I knew a dude at art school who was from the Pequot tribe of Connecticut. This was in '93 and they were the first tribe to do the casino thing.
Small tribe and their members pocketed some of the revenues.

Here, the money goes to the tribes which are more or less big corporations and the chiefs are the crooked CEO's. That's the case in my tribe.

The way the various tribes handle their affairs varies. I submit the ones with an independent judiciary are best equipped to handle problems because tribal citizens can haul alleged crooks into their courts and get bad acts enjoined and/or the crooks locked-up. It happens with regularity in those systems.

[Okla-homey]

I knew a dude at art school who was from the Pequot tribe of Connecticut. This was in '93 and they were the first tribe to do the casino thing.
Small tribe and their members pocketed some of the revenues.

Here, the money goes to the tribes which are more or less big corporations and the chiefs are the crooked CEO's. That's the case in my tribe.

The Mashantucket Pequod's you mention do make "per-capita" payments to their citizens as they are allowed to do under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. They are also a relatively small tribe (>1000 citizens) and have the world's largest casino.

[picasso]

The Mashantucket Pequod's you mention do make "per-capita" payments to their citizens as they are allowed to do under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. They are also a relatively small tribe (>1000 citizens) and have the world's largest casino.
yep.

http://www.foxwoods.com/

[TheHumanAlphabet]

I don't understand how so many people want to part with their money?

Call me bitter, but I have never won anything at a casino or lottery, and I wonder why they are so popular? Do many people actually win anything. I did get a nice meal for cheap.

Gambling is not what I would call fun or relaxing. I understand other's will have a different opinion. Then people would probably make fun of my enjoyment of fine food and wine.

[JohnnyMack]

I don't understand how so many people want to part with their money?

Call me bitter, but I have never won anything at a casino or lottery, and I wonder why they are so popular? Do many people actually win anything. I did get a nice meal for cheap.

Gambling is not what I would call fun or relaxing. I understand other's will have a different opinion. Then people would probably make fun of my enjoyment of fine food and wine.

It's a highly addicitve, seldom profitable venture for many patrons.

Remember, they don't build these places on spec.

[toast]

sorry if it's old news, but toby keith's restaurant included in $125 million expansion coming to cherokee casino.

http://www.fox23.com/content/flashplayer-localnews/story.aspx?content_id=0d1c0935-72a1-4582-960a-965145f8f2b5

[usmc-sooner]

I knew a dude at art school who was from the Pequot tribe of Connecticut. This was in '93 and they were the first tribe to do the casino thing.
Small tribe and their members pocketed some of the revenues.

Here, the money goes to the tribes which are more or less big corporations and the chiefs are the crooked CEO's. That's the case in my tribe.

yep
you're tribe sounds a lot like my tribe

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Every tribe runs totally different. However, I KNOW the Chickasaw and Choctaws invest their money back into their people at an incredible rate. In fact the Chickasaw's have a policy where they attempt to use all money made in Casino's to better aspects of the nation. such as buying plants that are going out of business so that people can keep their jobs, they built a greenhouse in Ada for their older members to come and grow plants and such, they are always upgrading their health facility in Ada. Is it perfect...no, but they do certain things. As for gambling, yes it is a problem but those same people that are blowing all their money were going to be broke regardless. If you can't control yourself in a Casino, you can't control yourself in life. And as for implying that all Casino patrons are all white trash...I am sure all of the teachers, business owners, and other hard working folks that go to Casino's truly appreciate the implication they are white trash...

[Frozen Sooner]

Wow, I'm a dork.

My first thought on this was "What, do they have the fully articulated 1/10th scale croupier? Did McFarlane Studios do them?"

[yermom]

you are hopeless Mike :D


Homey do you have a link to the payouts?

[FaninAma]

I knew a dude at art school who was from the Pequot tribe of Connecticut. This was in '93 and they were the first tribe to do the casino thing.
Small tribe and their members pocketed some of the revenues.

Here, the money goes to the tribes which are more or less big corporations and the chiefs are the crooked CEO's. That's the case in my tribe.

I would disagree that the Chickasaw's fall into that category. Bill Anoutubby has been the governor of the Chickasaw tribe for several years and their operation is prettyefficient and above board. The Chickasaws are planning on building a new 120 bed hospital wihin 2 years and the local investment in Ada has been significant.

As far as Winstar paying out to the gamblers, the finaincial reports I've seen indicate that the Chickasaw's took in 4.7 billion from their gaming operations but over 4 billion went back to the gamblers. Cost of operations took another 300 million out of the income so that did leave the tribe with a neat little profit of about 400 million last year.

Still, all in all I have been impressed with the way the Chickasaw tribe has operated its businesses.

[jk the sooner fan]

well i dont know if the payouts are low or normal, i dont go there......its just what i was told, but of course the guy who said it could suck as a gambler

i do know that the parking lot is ALWAYS full, no matter what day of the week or time of day

[Frozen Sooner]

you are hopeless Mike :D


Homey do you have a link to the payouts?

Yeah, it may be time to stay out of the comic store for a while.

[the_ouskull]

Everything supposedly goes to public skools yet they always claim poverty and we're consistently in the bottom 10 in the nation in learnin' our youngins.

What gives?

:pop:

By all means, let me explain...

Just like I think that drivers should have to take driving tests annually after a certain point, I think that teachers, at all non-college grade levels, should have to take aptitude tests in their respective subject areas. They need to demonstrate college-level competency in their subject area, and high school graduate level competency in all other general areas... or at least a composite passing score.

This would eliminate all of the piece-of-sh*t coaches who are making more than good teachers just because they're coaches and "teaching" drivers ed on the side. I think that only private schools should be allowed to hire someone solely to coach, and I think that we need to take our extra-curricular eligibility more seriously... if a kid's failing, and they aren't held out of a game, then I think that the player should be suspended for the rest of the season.

Also, I think that, if a student misses more than 10% of the days in a semester, unexcused, (with some leeway in the case of extended illness, etc... although parental consent or a doctor's note should be provided) then that student instantly fails their classes for that grade level / block, and they should either have to take summer school classes to move on to the next grade, or they should have to repeat the grade / classes that they failed. I think that social promotion is KILLING our educational system, because there's no punishment for students that choose not to learn. They just keep getting pushed to the next grade level.

And, here's a kicker... If a student makes straight F's, no matter the grade level, in back-to-back years, and cannot prove some form of undiagnosed learning disability, then they are instantly suspended from the school district in which the failure takes place -- permanently. They have forfeited their right to a public education at that point...

It's those kids, the kids that are being socially promoted, and, to an extent, even the IEP kids, although those are a little different... VERY little, but little nonetheless... that hold back the rest of the classrooms. Also, many schools don't have enough of a checks and balances system. I think that teacher testing and student accountibility would go a long way towards establishing one...

Schools need to be more responsible about who they hire to teach children. Just because someone has a good resume does not mean that they're a good teacher anymore than someone is a good football player just because they're big.

the_ouskull

[usmc-sooner]

By all means, let me explain...

Just like I think that drivers should have to take driving tests annually after a certain point, I think that teachers, at all non-college grade levels, should have to take aptitude tests in their respective subject areas. They need to demonstrate college-level competency in their subject area, and high school graduate level competency in all other general areas... or at least a composite passing score.

This would eliminate all of the piece-of-sh*t coaches who are making more than good teachers just because they're coaches and "teaching" drivers ed on the side. I think that only private schools should be allowed to hire someone solely to coach, and I think that we need to take our extra-curricular eligibility more seriously... if a kid's failing, and they aren't held out of a game, then I think that the player should be suspended for the rest of the season.

Also, I think that, if a student misses more than 10% of the days in a semester, unexcused, (with some leeway in the case of extended illness, etc... although parental consent or a doctor's note should be provided) then that student instantly fails their classes for that grade level / block, and they should either have to take summer school classes to move on to the next grade, or they should have to repeat the grade / classes that they failed. I think that social promotion is KILLING our educational system, because there's no punishment for students that choose not to learn. They just keep getting pushed to the next grade level.

And, here's a kicker... If a student makes straight F's, no matter the grade level, in back-to-back years, and cannot prove some form of undiagnosed learning disability, then they are instantly suspended from the school district in which the failure takes place -- permanently. They have forfeited their right to a public education at that point...

It's those kids, the kids that are being socially promoted, and, to an extent, even the IEP kids, although those are a little different... VERY little, but little nonetheless... that hold back the rest of the classrooms. Also, many schools don't have enough of a checks and balances system. I think that teacher testing and student accountibility would go a long way towards establishing one...

Schools need to be more responsible about who they hire to teach children. Just because someone has a good resume does not mean that they're a good teacher anymore than someone is a good football player just because they're big.

the_ouskull

and that folks is the story of Indian Casino's in a nutshell :D

[AlbqSooner]

A subject on which I have some knowledge. Although my knowledge is based on my employment with a pueblo in New Mexico which has had a casino operation for almost 10 years and does not compare directly to the Oklahoma experience where Class III gaming has only recently been introduced.

Tribes that want to make per capita payments to tribal members must set up a Revenue Allocation Plan (RAP) and have it approved by the Secretary of the Interior. They are limited in the percentage of net gaming revenues which they can allocate to such a plan. The payments must be equal to ALL members of the tribe. Remaining NET gaming revenues are limited to 5 specified categories such as Tribal administration, providing for the health, welfare and education of tribal members, providing for investments directed to diversification of the tribal economy, and I do not recall the other two off the top of my head.

The biggest boon to the tribes has been raising them to a status that they can now obtain investment capital. When my employer decided to open a small casino, they sought investment capital from 57 different financial institutions. ONE gave them some limited start up capital. Now that they have built a large casino, a 228 room hotel, a spa, a convention center, and an 18 hole golf course, they have many of those 56 institutions begging to be allowed to participate.

As far as benefits to the tribe, this is a small tribe, the vast majority of whom live in the pueblo, and all of whom were living in abject poverty not many years ago. Now, without any per capita payments, each member of the tribe is guaranteed tuition, books, fees, room and board to attend any school of their choosing for which they qualify. That is from Kindergarten through PhD level. Additionally, they have a health clinic in the Pueblo which is well staffed and absolutely free. They have recently begun an ongoing project researching diabetes among Native Americans. They have a day care center in which every student has a very up to date computer. Each home in the Pueblo has a computer with internet connection. They are in the process of replacing all streets in the Pueblo after having rebuilt the water system. They are in the process of completing a waste treatment facility that is state of the art.

Additionally, immediately after Katrina, the tribal council entertained the suggestion that they donate to the relief fund. One vote only was taken and it was unanimous. This tribe of slightly less than 500 members donated One Million Dollars.


As far as payout percentages, you might get a copy of the State/Tribal Compact. New Mexico's limits the hold percentage on slots and most tribes here have a payback in the range of 90 - 95 percent. I suspect that Oklahoma's contains a similar provision.

Just so you know, Indian Gaming is far more heavily regulated than the commercial casinos. Even so, they are quite profitable and a boon to Native Americans as well as to the State and Federal Government.

While I am not so naive to believe that there is not money going out the back door, I suggest that it is no more than, and probably less than in most corporations.

[Vaevictis]

Dang, let the tribes fix the bridges!!

Heh, apparently the people at the capital would rather appropriate funds to mow the roadsides so everything looks nice for the centennial.

No, I'm not kidding.

[AlbqSooner]

One other thing about the revenues from gaming not showing much in the education system. I suspect that Oklahoma is much like Florida was in this regard. When Florida instituted a state Lottery, it was provided that 35 cents of every dollar would be earmarked for education. And it was. Unfortunately, the legislature looked at the amount allocated for education by the Lottery and reduced the amount provided from the State General Fund by a greater amount, resulting in a net loss to education. HEH!

[KC//CRIMSON]

We don't have any feather casinos up here, wee's all white!

and we have craps!

[1stTimeCaller]

By all means, let me explain...

Just like I think that drivers should have to take driving tests annually after a certain point, I think that teachers, at all non-college grade levels, should have to take aptitude tests in their respective subject areas. They need to demonstrate college-level competency in their subject area, and high school graduate level competency in all other general areas... or at least a composite passing score.

This would eliminate all of the piece-of-sh*t coaches who are making more than good teachers just because they're coaches and "teaching" drivers ed on the side. I think that only private schools should be allowed to hire someone solely to coach, and I think that we need to take our extra-curricular eligibility more seriously... if a kid's failing, and they aren't held out of a game, then I think that the player should be suspended for the rest of the season.

Also, I think that, if a student misses more than 10% of the days in a semester, unexcused, (with some leeway in the case of extended illness, etc... although parental consent or a doctor's note should be provided) then that student instantly fails their classes for that grade level / block, and they should either have to take summer school classes to move on to the next grade, or they should have to repeat the grade / classes that they failed. I think that social promotion is KILLING our educational system, because there's no punishment for students that choose not to learn. They just keep getting pushed to the next grade level.

And, here's a kicker... If a student makes straight F's, no matter the grade level, in back-to-back years, and cannot prove some form of undiagnosed learning disability, then they are instantly suspended from the school district in which the failure takes place -- permanently. They have forfeited their right to a public education at that point...

It's those kids, the kids that are being socially promoted, and, to an extent, even the IEP kids, although those are a little different... VERY little, but little nonetheless... that hold back the rest of the classrooms. Also, many schools don't have enough of a checks and balances system. I think that teacher testing and student accountibility would go a long way towards establishing one...

Schools need to be more responsible about who they hire to teach children. Just because someone has a good resume does not mean that they're a good teacher anymore than someone is a good football player just because they're big.

the_ouskull

I think we should fire teachers that can't understand the difference between a public education thread and a tribal gambling thread. ;)

I said this before the deal was struck with the state and I hope I'm wrong. It is my belief that the state will get their full 6% from the casinos but the amount the state chips in for education will be less than they usually put in or if there has been a steady x% increase each year it will go down this year on the state's side.

[royalfan5]

Have the Tribes in Oklahoma been able to diversify successfully away from casinos very well? The Winnebago tribe here used a small casino on the Iowa side of the very as a jumping off point from developing a wide variety of successful enterprises from IT to construction and beyond.

[1stTimeCaller]

They have travel/truck stops, golf courses, and all kinds of stuff.

The Chickasaw's (I think, whatever tribe is CNI or CNNI) have partnered with FlintCo. on numerous construction projects.

[usmc-sooner]

yeah but the Chickasaw's are white. I've seen every Chickasaw commercial there is and I've yet to see an Indian. They've got white astronaunts, CEO's, and so on. I'm beginning to think that Cherokees and Chickasaws are the same.

Basically their great great great grandmothers were Indian, now they are 99/100 white and 1/100 Indian and claiming to be Indian.

I think it's funny in a way, and kinda sad in another.

[picasso]

yeah but the Chickasaw's are white. I've seen every Chickasaw commercial there is and I've yet to see an Indian. They've got white astronaunts, CEO's, and so on. I'm beginning to think that Cherokees and Chickasaws are the same.

Basically their great great great grandmothers were Indian, now they are 99/100 white and 1/100 Indian and claiming to be Indian.

I think it's funny in a way, and kinda sad in another.
ahh but the ones from Mississippi are real Indians. and big too. I didn't think they came any larger than Osages but I was wrong.

[CORNholio]

Go to Broken Bow-Idabel and take a looksey. They ain't white round there. Guess that's choctaw though.

[StoopTroup]

I think we should put the Indians in charge of Horse Racing too. :D

[Okla-homey]

I think we should put the Indians in charge of Horse Racing too. :D

Coming soon...NASCAR. In Oklahoma. Run by a tribe. That's all I can say right now.

[OSUAggie]

I went in with $500, came home with $5,000 last night. Time for new golf clubs. **** you, Cherokee Nation. :)

[Okla-homey]

This just in. Toby may be a hillbilly, but he's OUr hillbilly, and a savvy bidnessman. From the Tulsa World


CATOOSA -- Toby Keith said he and his partners carefully considered a number of business factors when choosing the next location for his I Love This Bar and Grill.

But one thing helped the Oklahoma-raised country singer make up his mind.

"No one knows how to party like the Cherokees," he said at Tuesday's press conference at Cherokee Casino Resort.

And it's a growing party. Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill will open in late 2008 in 10,000 square feet of the casino's $125 million expansion, which will add a concert hall, a 21-story hotel tower, additional convention space and room for 750 new electronic games.

When finished, the restaurant will employ 70 to 80 people.

Keith said his honky-tonk chain, which serves down-home fare like steaks, barbecue ribs and sandwiches, has been a huge success in downtown Oklahoma City, Harrah's Kansas City and Harrah's Las Vegas, and he plans to open up "a whole bunch of them" across the nation.

Still, the recent inductee to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame hasn't forgotten his roots.

"It's a national-type chain, but to bring it back to Oklahoma
is a great thing," he said.

[picasso]

Go to Broken Bow-Idabel and take a looksey. They ain't white round there. Guess that's choctaw though.
doh! that's what I meant.

yeah, not sure I've seen a really really Native looking Chickasaw.