Gaming in Wisconsin

The eleven Wisconsin Tribes are uniting to negotiate new gaming compacts this year. They are calling themselves the United Tribes of Wisconsin. What will unity stand for?

As one entity, the Tribes hope to lay everything on the table and negotiate in good faith with newly appointed Governor Jim Doyle. As one, Tribes are hoping to avoid backhanded deals and jealousy amongst them. Tribes are seeking equal treatment.

The United Tribes are asking for longer time length compacts, more slot machine allowances per Tribe, expanded games (Poker, Roulette, Craps) and reducing the age requirement for play back to the age of eighteen for all games. Currently the gaming compacts have been for five-year increments. The first gaming tribal compact will expire in August 2003. (Lac Courte Oreilles) The asking length will be twenty to thirty years. The Tribes say that range will give more financial leverage with creditors for future tribal endeavors.

Points of interest that might be on the table: Shared revenue for the poorer Tribes, equal treatment for all the Tribes, same number of games allowed, same variety of games, and percentage of money given to the state. Many questions need addressing.

The prior gaming compact negotiations suggested that the Tribes establish a revenue sharing plan amongst themselves. Nothing has been established yet. But the Forest County Potawatomi took the lead and gives the Red Cliff Tribe money each month. What happen to the others? I guess they took the notion: Not mandatory, not shared. Hopefully this go around something is written in stone so the future of all tribes benefit.

The number and variety of casino games are so lopsided now. Who could straighten that out? Should the urban casinos get the most slot machines and table games? And the rural casinos get "as see fit" number of machines and tables. In Arizona the Navajo Nation (non-casino Tribe) leases its allotted number of slot machines (per gaming compact) to other tribes (Urban areas) for profit. This lease benefits the rural Tribe that could not sustain profits from its reservation location.

The revenue given to the state is the ultimate give and take for each Tribe. Negotiate, then, negotiate again. Of course, the amount of revenue generated by each casino will have to factor in. But tribes do not have to divulge their profit amounts. Will it be a flat number or percentage? The state gets approximately 2.5 % of all gaming revenue now. What are the Tribes willing to give up for their wants and needs?

California Tribes were in a similar situation in 1988. They united to form the California Nations Indian Gaming Association. (Seventy sovereign members strong) Despite heavy opposition forces, in March 2000, California voters passed the constitutional amendment Proposition 1A.

This amendment treated California Tribes as sovereign nations and allowed them to utilize gaming as a tool to self-reliance.

California is the fastest growing gaming market today. The Tribes located in densely populated areas share revenue with their non-gaming and rural counterparts. I applaud their commitment to set the example for other states.

But you think this struggle would keep the California tribes united. Some of the Tribes are dissolving their relationship with CNIGA. Saying they have outgrown their need. And want to go there own direction. Well, so much for unity. I guess once you get what you want the tendency is to forget the struggle. But there will always be a need for unity among Tribes. Why?

What are some of the positive outcomes for staying united in Wisconsin after all of the gaming compacts have been signed?

Wisconsin Tribes should set the example for other Tribes who are still struggling in other states. Visions of shared revenue set by the united Tribes, not a mandated state regulation will get Wisconsin Tribes working together on issues that effect all Tribes. (Clean air/water, forests, jobs, sovereign status etc.)

Gaming in Wisconsin could evolve into a powerful force for all Wisconsinites. What about a state wide progressive jackpot utilizing the United Tribe slot machine? (Played at all Wisconsin Tribal casinos.) One million dollar jackpot amounts could be the norm. How about a statewide card point system that could be used at any of the seventeen casinos? Like the Total Rewards card utilized by all of the Harrah’s twenty-six casinos around the country and the "One Club" card from Mandalay Resort Group. (Ten casinos, four states)

Gaming in Wisconsin will impact all tribal affiliated persons-rural or urban. Funds will be available for all Native American organizations and programs. Charities and Non-profit organizations will benefit substantially from longer gaming compacts. Funds will be more accessible.

There is unlimited potential for the United Tribes of Wisconsin. Will this vision come to fruition? Who knows! We can all dream.