Responding to the claim that tribes are obstructionists in gaming

It might be challenging to implement significant gaming reforms in a state like California. The lottery, the horse racing sector, card clubs, and tribal casinos are just a few of the many more stakeholders than in other states.

But more frequently than not, one of those groups is identified as “the problem.” Critics frequently accuse California tribes, as well as tribal groups across America, of being obstructionist and seeking to stifle innovation in order to maintain their monopoly.

A panel of tribal leaders and seasoned gamers presented compelling evidence to the opposite during a debate at last week’s SBC Summit Lisbon. They shared their perspectives on how tribal groups approach partnerships and the areas where commercial gaming groups have made mistakes in their approach.

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Term papers are only one aspect of partnerships.

Sean Vasquez, president of Pechanga Casino Resort, recounted how business organizations would simply provide a term sheet and, in his opinion, assume that tribes would be appreciative enough to accept the offer.

“We’re not searching for an entity to enter and take advantage of us. To be a partner, you must enter. A true companion, that is. Not an operator, not a vendor. a companion. We’re trying to find it. We have a generational tribal attitude, not a three-year one. He clarified, “It’s on a 50-year lens, not a five-year term sheet.”

Before assuming his current position last year, Apache Nugget CEO and President Tony Amormino worked with commercial organizations like as Light & Wonder, so he has been on both sides of the table. According to him, businesses do not view tribes as assets, and they will not succeed with such mentality.

Amormino noted, “I believe that trust is the one word that every tribal entity, in every tribal nation, values the most.” “They want to have faith in your ability to do the task. They want to have faith in your ability to create a fantastic product. They seem to want to have faith that we will enter and carry out our duties in a lawful, proper, and proper manner.

Key considerations for long-term viability and trust

Brett Calapp, a moderator and co-founder of Rare Mint, who worked with indigenous tribes during his time at Desert Diamond, asked how people might build such trust.

“Everything is present in small amounts. It’s important to have faith that they’re following their own compliance procedures, plugging all the holes, and not attempting to defend themselves by saying, “Hey, I got it to market,” despite the fact that they will face regulatory fines of millions of dollars every two months. And you’ll see that they’re doing things and giving back to the community over time,” Amormino said.

Approaching minor tribes in California for one-time transactions, as some sweepstakes organizers did earlier this year, is something to avoid, according to Vasquez. According to him, little tribes ought to band together to protect everyone’s interests.

While outsiders may contend that expanding gaming is in everyone’s best interests, tribes have a different perspective. They may still be open to the notion of playing games online even if they decline the offers that are put to them.

Courtesy: https://www.covers.com, https://www.casino.org, https://pechanga.net