On Fri, 2 Dec 1994, Robert L. Mull wrote:
> Pablo,
>
> What I am really interested in is:
>
> 1) How has state legislature been a hindrance/help?
Legislature could not get organized when tribe petitioned. Finally Fed.
allowed all games already legal in state. Charities ran "Las Vegas
Nights", where people bought funny money with a donation to the charity,
then played games and at the end of the evening used their funny money to
bid for actual prizes in the auction finally.
Legislature tried to prevent charities from having their fund-raisers.
Charities and constituants squacked so loud that the boys saw their votes
flying out the window. So they left things as they were. And tribe was
able to open casino, but without slot machines.
> 2) How have groups outside of the tribe hindered/helped your interests?
Obviously the religon based opposition. And the politicos. However, the
cold war ended and Connecticut's defense oriented businesses began to
lay-off lots of people. The state went into a recession and everyone was
looking for work. Foxwoods Casino came to the rescue. There are now
over 12,000 people directly employed and probably double that number
indirectly involved. The Chamber of Commerce is obviously a big
booster. And the State is now a booster, for to get the slot machines
the Chairman of the Tribal Council and the Governor signed an agreement
giving the State 25% of the slot take in exchange for allowing the slots
and exclusivity. This will amount to more than $140 million this year
which resolves alot of conflict. The agreement has since been amended to
be $80 million from both Casinos when the Mohegans get their casino opened.
Donald "They don't look like Indians" Trump and Steve Wynn would have to
pony up alot of money before they got a non-indian casino opened.
Each year the legislature rattles the sabers, individuals get sound bites
and so far no new casinos have been allowed off the reservations.
> 3) How well have you been able to resolve conflicts?
So far, the conflicts have been tribal related, (eg. annexation of new land)
rather than Casino oriented. Unions have tried but have found themselves
"out of the country" on the reservation. And here, close to the NYC and
Boston areas, and the impoliteness that comes when too many people have
to live too close together, those who fake the "slip and falls" have
found the tribal courts hard to corrupt.
> I know this could end up being a book all by itself, but I'm really just
> looking for good examples of general trends that you see, preferably from
> the last few years.
It is hard to forecast the future trends. The euphoria connected with
the opening and further developement of the Casino doesn't seem to
abate. The numbers and the profitablity have exceeded anticipation.
When the Mohegan's casino opens, so will the Pequot theme park. Will one
casino hurt the other. I don't think so. In any case, the Pequots are
helping the Mohegans, when the off rez community thinks they should be
enemies. They will never understand........
> Please don't knock yourself out doing this, I'll be
> happy with whatever info you can get me.
Sorry, I couldn't help it :-)
> Thanks so very much!
>
> Bob Mull
Pablo (Paul Bristol)