GAMING SHOULD BE ON AN EQUAL FOOTING WITH ALL OTHER BUSINESS IN THE STATE

Implications: We have been over some of this in prior articles, however, it keeps popping it ugly head up time after time. The Federal in their infinite wisdom decided to make the reservations a hand off entity. They are taking full advantage of this sovereign nation thing with out much care for what goes on around them. There needs to be some parity.

Analysis: The California Native American casinos have taken the thought of helping the state with funding, not very serious to this point. There is no doubt that there is some revenue sharing going on. The state has allowed the casinos to go their own way and now that they want revenue, the idea is falling on deaf ears. I don't blame the tribes for not wanting to share their profits. They are balking at the Governor for suggesting casino type gaming at race tracks - they would like to see an end to parimutuel betting and keep gaming under their thumb.

Here are some facts that they seem to be overlooking: Their patrons are 90% non Native Americans. Their marketing does not generally take their own people into the player picture. Their properties are designed to attract local play with in 100 mile radius of their property. The local governments have little say as to any thing that is done in the casinos on tribal lands. They pay no taxes, but do in most cases, some revenue sharing to keep everyone in their place. Is a wrong attitude???
Tell you the truth, if they can get away with this, and they do, then why not.

The real situation, at hand, is that the Tribal Councils don't want any interference into their business ventures. They do, in fact, want a say in what transpires off the reservations. Again, I don't blame them, however, it's not in the best interest of everyone not living on a reservation to be held ransom to their demands. There must be some compromise to this ever ballooning problem. The race track business and the additional slots should not be influenced by these casinos - that is, unless they are willing to pay their fair share to the states coffers. It's just not a one way street - there is a solution out there and the sooner they get to some middle ground the better for all concerned.