nation. Our relationship with the state of Connecticut is strong even as to what we are looking at with sports betting.” He went on to say, “A lot of people are very excited about sports betting. We are too. We have exclusivity in Connecticut unlike many other tribal jurisdictions around the country. Sports betting falls in line with our exclusivity.” We have a framework we are working on, and we are ready for the next legislative session in January.” It’s a great amenity, it will drive digital foot traffic, but it’s going to be a commodity.” NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., told the crowd, “The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was certainly not a product of the Tribal Leadership at the time. It was a compromise when it came to provisions for compacting with States. Nonetheless, our Tribal Governments have made it work, and that is why Indian Gaming is the success it is today.” Stevens recognized the tribal leadership instrumental in establishing the foundation of gaming. “What they set out to do was to take on that challenge, because, in that era, Indian gaming was not supposed to be as successful as it has turned out to be in our lives. When IGRA came along, tribes worked with it as best as we could. They had the foresight needed to protect our community, to protect our industry and to do our best to increase economic development options through gaming.” “The Indian Gaming Leaders from Indian Country had the forsight to make regulation, professionalism and hard work a major priority and that is why we are so good at what we do. The bottom line is we want to protect our rights as strong Tribal Governments, our ability to be self-sufficient and to continue to grow and enhance our communities. From our standpoint, the challenge is still in front of us.” Stevens added. The “Sports Betting: The Path Forward for Indian Country” panel followed the tribal leader session. Moderated by Valerie Spicer, Managing Partner at the Trilogy Group, the panel discussed issues surrounding Sports Betting. The path starts with Tribes contemplating compact implications, business models, and regulatory oversight. Sports Wagering is in full swing and taking a foothold across the country. The presenters spoke about defining the pathway forward, with all that is at stake it is a serious business proposition for those that are on the frontlines, keeping a thumb on the landscape of gaming issues and technology. Panelists included Debbie Thundercloud, Chief of Staff at the National Indian Gaming Association, Aurene Martin, President of Spirit Lake Consulting, Steve Bodmer, General Counsel, Pechanga Tribal Government, and Stephen M. Hart, Partner, Lewis Roca, Rothgerber, Christie. The day continued with the afternoons tribal gaming track session, with a look at the legislative landscape with the “Indian Gaming in 2018: Legislative & Policy Issues” in the U.S.” panel. There is no lack of topics concerning gaming - under the umbrella of Sports Betting. The development of a regulatory framework, the use of mobile for Tribes, State legislation and Tribal compacts only to name a few. Fantasy sports will look to grow their
position post-PASPA, will the SCOTUS decision pave the way? The administration has a new Assistant Secretary at Interior, and the NIGC will be facing a leadership change - what will these changes in the Administration mean for Indian country? With all that hangs in the balance, will there be movement on the Hill or will the action primarily come at the State level? At the table and driving the discussion panelists including John Harte of Mapetsi Policy Group, Edward Ayoob, a partner at Barnes & Thronburg, Wilson Pipestem, a partner at Pipestem Law and Pete Kirkham, President of Red Maple Consulting, and was moderated by Holly Cook-Macarro, a partner at Spirit Rock, LLC. The next panel discussion focused on the significant trends in tribal government gaming with the “Integrating Emerging Gaming on your Casino Floor” panel. Moderated by Derrick Watchman, President and Owner of Sagebrush Hill Group, LLC, and included panelists Roberto Coppola, Vice President Vice President of Advanced Products at Aristocrat, John James, COO at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Christian Fenner, representing the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association and Ray Pineault, General Manager of Mohegan Sun. Panelists looked at many topics facing the next generation of gaming, the potential costs and who will play the games. The “Mobile Gaming: The Next Big Thing for Indian Country” panel discussed the astounding growth of mobile gaming in the worldwide market and how mobile on-premise pushes promotions and drives access to the games giving millennial players the interaction that they prefer and a valuable tool for marketing to casinos. When there is a shift to real money play versus free play it brings a whole new meaning to gaming online and the mobile offering for Tribal casinos. These issues result in many questions, including looking at possible winning propositions for tribal casinos, and the platform effects of the ongoing Big Fish Casino litigation. In March 2018 a federal appeals court judge found Big Fish Casino, a series of interactive social gaming once operated by Churchill Downs, to be illegal online gambling under Washington State law. Panelist included Anika Howard – Business Development & Operations – IGT PlayDigital, Daniel Kustelski Co-Founder and CEO at Chalkline Sports, Jeff Ifrah Founding Partner at Ifrah PLLC and Melissa Blau Director, iGaming Capital and was moderated by Chris Stearns, Commissioner, Washington State Gambling Commission. The final panel of the day, the “Benefits of Busing: Safely Driving Profits to the Bottom Line” discussion focused on starting and operating busing programs for casinos of all sizes and how a robust loyalty program can strengthen ridership,and logical bus patron analysis can increase your bottom line. Moderated by Agata Maher, Director of Marketing at the Pechanga Casino & Resort. The panelist included Dean Vallas, President of Casino Tours and Charters, Inc., Armando Mena, President, M COACH CALIFORNIA, Sal Semola, President and COO of the Gun Lake Casino and Deana Scott, CEO of Raving Consulting.
17 | INDIAN GAMING UPDATE - SPRING EDITION 2018
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