Friday, January 18, 2008

What’s Potawatomi cooking up in Illinois?

Expanding gaming is a hot topic in Illinois, with lots of talk about a new casino in Chicago or its northern suburbs. While Illinois lawmakers consider expanding gaming as a way to meet the state’s funding, transportation and other needs, the Potawatomi appear to be gearing up to make sure expanded Illinois gaming doesn’t threaten the Tribe’s regional casino monopoly.

The Potawatomi have already spent more than $6 million in Wisconsin to kill the proposed Kenosha casino and keep a firm hold on their monopoly. Imagine how much they will have to spend if they want to do the same thing in Illinois, home to the country’s third-largest media market.

A blog in Springfield, the capital of Illinois, has disclosed that the Potawatomi are polling about the gambling question in the Land of Lincoln. The Potawatomi poll asked residents if they want a statewide referendum on gambling – something that would surely slow the process in Illinois (and help the Potawatomi hold onto their monopoly longer). Wags in the know weren’t surprised that the Potawatomi’s polling showed – you guessed it - support for such a referendum.

Here they go again. Is the poll foreshadowing yet another chapter in the Potawatomi’s anti-competition playbook? Here’s what could happen next:

1) Shockingly, there will probably be a news release or memo “leaked” or circulated stating that the people of Illinois want a statewide referendum on gaming expansion.

2) A mysterious group will start to surface stating that Illinois residents should have a referendum to show their support or opposition on the subject. Television ads will begin to appear, bearing the message that everyone should have a voice, and will be backed by a front group – think “Citizens for Choice” or a similar alias. It the Potawatomi’s anti-competition tactics in Wisconsin are any indication, such a “citizens group” will likely be an Astroturf group funded primarily by the Potawatomi. Don’t be fooled.

3) Once the Potawatomi get the referendum, their next move will be to spend a lot of money – more money than they’ve had to spend on prior referendums. The Potawatomi spent $1 million in an unsuccessful attempt to defeat a 2004 Kenosha County referendum, where voters overwhelmingly endorsed the casino. They’ll probably have to spend $3 million to $4 million in Chicago alone to have any kind of political impact in Illinois. No one said keeping a monopoly was cheap.

All of these actions will be taken to paralyze the gaming market in Illinois, just as Potawatomi is trying to do with its Kenosha shenanigans in Wisconsin. The goal is the same – to maintain their regional monopoly and keep competition away.

Stay tuned as we continue to monitor the Potawatomi and their efforts in Illinois and southeast Wisconsin.

Help put an end to Potawatomi's gaming monopoly by signing the online petition.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Potawatomi’s promises? Don’t bet on them.

It looks like the Potawatomi will do everything they can to hurt Kenosha – even if they have to break a promise to the people of Wisconsin to do so.

The news today is that the Potawatomi are negotiating with out-of-state race tracks to offer off-track betting at their off-reservation Milwaukee casino. That’s right, the Potawatomi are squeezing their monopoly on gaming in southeastern Wisconsin even tighter.

Just a few years ago, the Potawatomi assured State officials that they would refrain from offering off-track betting as long as Dairyland was in business. Now, the tribe is going back on its word – apparently buoyed by the false sense of entitlement that having a monopoly creates.

Dairyland Greyhound Park is now rising to the challenge by developing a few options such as including a possible entertainment center as the best option for Kenosha and Wisconsin to compete with the Potawatomi. Certainly the best option for Dairyland is the proposed Menominee Indian Tribe entertainment center and casino. This would create 3,000 jobs and numerous economic benefits for southeastern Wisconsin.

Potawatomi’s off-track betting plans are just another tactic to strong-hold the regional gaming market and preserve their monopoly in southeastern Wisconsin. The Potawatomi have gone back on their word to the State, and will do whatever it takes to maintain their gaming monopoly – even if it hurts Kenosha and the state of Wisconsin.

Help put an end to Potawatomi's Southeast Wisconsin monopoly by signing the online petition.

Monday, January 7, 2008

Kenosha casino application strong

Last week brought a few stories and some more anti-competition rumors after the BIA rejected 11 Land Into Trust applications and would not act on 11 others because of incomplete information.

We’ve heard some talk about this action and what it might suggest about the Menominee application. Although there are certainly obstacles involved in any off-reservation approval process, the Menominee Indian Tribe believes that its application is solid and strong. We believe it stands apart from other projects and is different in many ways. We firmly believe it deserves federal approval.

Our supporters agree that the Kenosha casino project is important and worthwhile, and we know that introducing casino competition to southeastern Wisconsin would bring significant benefits to the surrounding areas. The Kenosha project is not only in the best interest of the Menominee Tribe, but it will also be a major asset to the Kenosha area and the entire southeastern Wisconsin region.

We’ll continue to monitor the BIA and provide any update when it is available. In the meantime, we’re focused on the 3,000 jobs, the $800 million construction project and additional benefits that the Kenosha project would provide.

Say yes to support the Kenosha casino and sign the online petition.