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| The Latest News | |
| News Archives
Casino Information - 2003 |
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| Our Goal: To improve the livability of Florence through public education and community involvement. | |
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Casino Information - Home
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Special Investigation by Donald L. Bartlett and James
B. Steele
Time Magazine, December 2002
Part 1 - Look Who's Cashing In At Indian Casinos - Hint: It's not the people who are supposed to benefit
Part 2 - Playing the Political Slots - How Indian casino interests have learned the art of buying influence in Washington
Facts
A Lucky Few Reap the Rewards
. . . And Spread Their Influence
Money Machines
When is a Slot Machine Not
a Slot?
Total federal aid for Native American programs hit $9.4 billion in 2001,
but often more money per member is going to tribes earning millions of
dollars from casinos than to the poorest Indians.
| Tribe |
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| Navajo Nation |
260,010
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$0
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$912
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| Hopi Tribe |
11,267
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$0
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$2,006
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| Mississippi Choctaw |
8,823
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$25,048
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$5,717
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| Seminole Tribe |
2,817
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$87,682
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$8,540
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| Mashantucket Pequot |
677
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$1,624,815
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$2,304
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| Miccosukee Tribe |
400
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$250,000
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$20,560
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| Santa Ynez |
159
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$1,257,862
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$8,360
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Since gaming came to reservations a decade ago, federal political donations by Indian tribes have soared. In key states like California, tribes have spent tens of millions of dollars on ballot initiatives.
Money to Washington - Tribal contributions to federal campaigns:
1992: $129,571 (soft money: $114,171; Individuals $15,400)California Cash - Top four tribes' spending on two state pro-gaming propositions
2000: $2.9 million (Soft money: $2.2 million; Individuals: $670,409; PACsa: $61,565)
| Tribe | Adult Population | Spending per Member | Total Spending |
| San Manuel Band | 67 | $519,403 | $34.8 million |
| Viejas Band | 208 | $75,000 | $15.6 million |
| Pechanga Band | 448 | $29,911 | $13.4 million |
| Morongo Band | 897 | $19,175 | $17.2 million |
Return on revenue by some Indian casinos make the performance of top-notch
corporations look unimpressive
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Seminole Tribe
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Mississippi Choctaw
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Melon Financial
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Microsoft
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Amgen
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Bristol-Myers Squibb
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Pfizer
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| Slot Machines | Pseudo Slots |
| Spinning Reels - Invented in 1877, the classic slot spins mechanical reels and, if the gambler is lucky, spits out a pile of coins. | Kid Stuff - Machines look like slots but act like video games. Players spin virtual reels or mark bingo cards onscreen, sometimes competing against one another. Winners trade receipts for cash. |
| Big Money - Fast-paced and sometimes addictive, slots can account for up to 80% of a casino's revenue, far more than roulette or card games. | High-Tech Bingo? The tribes regard the machines as legal technological aids that help customers play Class II games |
| Class III Gaming - Indian casinos don't need state permission for bingo or other Class Ii games. But if a tribe wants slots, it needs to make an agreement with the state. | A Slot Is A Slot - Most states think the terminals are electronic facsimiles of Class III slots - a no-no. |
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P.O. Box 1212 Florence, Oregon 97439 |
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