CHAIRMAN STEVENS RESPONDS TO THE L.A. TIMES

December 3, 2003

Editor
Los Angeles Times

RE: “California Must Hedge Its Bets – State should demand a new deal on its Indian casino agreements”

Dear Editor:

I would like to respond to “California Must Hedge Its Bets – State should demand a new deal on its Indian casino agreements” which appeared November 25, 2003 in the commentary section of the paper.

The first thing that needs to be stressed is that Tribes are not special interests; they are sovereign governments just like the states of California and Connecticut. Once people grasp that basic principal it follows why tribal governments are permitted to engage in gaming. Since tribal government gaming has been the only viable economic development vehicle that has generated revenue to raise Tribes out of poverty and enable tribal governments to provide desperately needed services, such as health care, education, and safety services to its membership in 200 years, is it so hard to understand why Tribes across the country are opening gaming facilities?

In March 2003, the California Employment Development Department reported that while the state is in a period of economic decline, tribal government economies have led the state in job growth, with employment doubling since 2000. So, how did the California deficit fall on the shoulders of Tribes when tribal government gaming has been the only bright spot in not only California’s but also in many other state’s floundering economies?

Tribes have proven time and time again that they are good neighbors; and we are deeply concerned about the impacts that our operations have on surrounding communities. Mr. Fromson is misguided in his belief the California’s gaming Tribes are not concerned about the residents of California who feel they are “burdened” by tribal government gaming. Nothing could be further from the truth. What Mr. Fromson seems to forget is that California is our state also and we are contributing over above what is required under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and the tribal state compacts.

Under the current compacts, California gaming Tribes contribute $130 million to the state annually. In addition, California gaming Tribes create nearly 50,000 jobs -- diminishing state unemployment rolls, and fund schools, health clinics, police and fire stations, and other essential government services.

Not only have the Tribes created jobs and generated tax revenue, they have also given large sums of money to local charities that support the greater community. The most recent example of tribal charitable giving was witness during the states devastating forest fires. A number of gaming Tribes stepped up and helped not only their membership, but their employees, and the surrounding communities. Some Tribes like the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians and the Pala Band of Mission Indians, provided free hotel stays to fire victims. More than 2,000 evacuees have been housed at the Pechanga Casino and Resort. The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has provided bottled water to firefighters and donated $1 million in disaster relief to various organizations and victims of the fires in San Bernardino. Volunteers from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians delivered thousands of hot turkey dinners to evacuees at one of the largest American Red Cross shelters in the region. In addition they have contributed $1 million to the Red Cross for its disaster relief efforts on behalf of the residents of Riverside County.

It is also unfortunate that Tribes, whose citizens were the last people in this country given the right to vote and who have not traditionally participated in the United States political process, are now being criticized for exercising their rights and weighing in on candidates and representatives who they believe will provide them with the best voice in the State capitol as well as in Washington D.C.. Can you blame us? We suffered terrible losses during the first 148 years of our Nation’s history, losses that occurred because we did not have a voice.

Mr. Fromson raises the issue of problem gambling. We are also concerned with problem gambling. Over 70% of US adults report gambling at least once in the past year. While most adults are able to gamble responsibly, approximately 1% of the U.S. adults meet criteria for pathological gambling. Our facilities are for entertainment and we take our responsibility to those who abuse our services seriously. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, tribal governments, in general, are more responsive to problem gaming issues than state governments.

California Tribes place a percentage of their slot machine revenues into a Special Distribution Fund. By 2020, approximately $1 billion will have been paid to the fund, a portion of which will go toward problem and compulsive gambling treatment programs. Since 1997, tribes have voluntarily contributed $453,757 to the California Council on Problem Gambling, Inc. This amount exceeds contributions from the state lottery, racetracks and card rooms.

Mr. Fromson needs to remember that California is not Connecticut. Connecticut has 2 gaming tribes who have exclusive rights to game in the State while California has 61 Tribes who have considerable competition from commercial gaming in the way of card rooms, dog and horse tracks, the lottery, and neighboring Reno. Connecticut has 2 of the largest casinos in the world and great geographic location near a major metropolitan area while California has many small casinos spread geographically with few in metropolitan areas. These are serious differences that must be taken into account when making any compact agreements. In the end, what Fromson thinks Governor Schwarzenegger “must” do and what the Governor and the Tribes agree to do is between sovereign governments. Tribes believe that whatever is agreed upon will be in the best interest of “all” Californians.

Sincerely,
Ernest L. Stevens, Jr., Chairman
National Indian Gaming Association
Washington, DC

NIGA is a non-profit association comprised of 184 American Indian Nations engaged in gaming to generate tribal government revenue for education, health, housing and many other essential services. The common commitment and purpose of NIGA is to advance the lives of Indian people – economically, socially and politically.