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Indian Gaming Feels ‘Good Vibrations’ in Economy
April 16, 2009
By Victor Merina

PHOENIX—With the Beach Boys coming to town, Ernie Stevens Jr. had a special song in mind as he walked the exhibit floor of the National Indian Gaming Association [1]'s annual trade show.

"Good vibrations," he said of the classic hit that he insisted still captures the mood of the convention and its more than 3,500 attendees.

"That's a good song," he added. "Look around you. Everybody's excited here, networking and filling up their bags. This is what makes the world go round, this business right here."

The gaming industry may not quite spin the world like a roulette wheel and the usual slot-machine sounds did not ka-ching like noisy cash registers across this Arizona exhibit hall, but there was no mistaking the bright lights, flashy dress and gleaming aura of Indian gaming as it tries to prosper in the eye of a recession.

"I think we're starting to see recovery now, but we can't wait for a full recovery," said Stevens, an Oneida from Wisconsin who is chairman of NIGA. "We have to build now."

As the leader of the organization's 184 member tribes, Stevens has an obvious stake in painting a brighter picture during these harsh economic times. But as he walked the aisles on the opening day of the convention's exhibit hall, Stevens said he remained optimistic even though some tribal casinos have had to lay off workers or curtail expansion plans.

"We see a brighter future ahead, and we're excited about that future," he said while exchanging greetings with exhibitors and convention delegates. "But that's not going to happen until we take care of things ourselves."

Stevens acknowledged that the convention turnout may be lower this year amid the economic downturn and that while some tribes are thriving, others are hurting, in the financial malaise.

"I don't think it's devastating and I don't think we're down in the dungeon," he said of any drop-off in numbers. "There are tribes that are struggling so our heart goes out to them. We're trying to help them and stay strong. That's our main priority."

Taking care of your own is a constant theme for NIGA, which was formed in 1985 to represent tribes, businesses and organizations engaged in tribal gaming enterprises around the country.

For many convention-goers, their annual gathering is a time to enjoy headline entertainers such as the Beach Boys and Gladys Knight and an up-and-coming Native singer, Crystal Shawanda. But the convention also includes workshops on economic development, marketing, tribal leadership and other topics.

This year saw sessions with practical themes and esoteric subjects — except for those in the gaming industry. Workshops with titles such as "Life on the Slot Floor After Ticket In, Ticket Out" or "Casinos as Learning Communities" or "A Year in the Life of the Internal Audit Department" peppered the agenda.

At one Wednesday morning workshop, representatives of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation in Connecticut and the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians in California shared details of their economic successes that transcended gaming. And they offered suggestions to help other tribal leaders follow suit.

But beyond the meeting rooms and membership gatherings, the heartbeat of the convention is the trade show and exhibit hall where you can win a Harley Davidson motorcycle one moment and have your picture taken with actor Adam Beach the next. Surrounding it all are the exhibitors and vendors hawking their wares to old and new consumers in Indian Country.

Chris Craft, a salesman for NOVA Gaming, LLC of Greenville, S.C., has been attending the NIGA trade show for a decade. Craft said his company has some 3,000 games in states from Oklahoma to Alabama and from New York to California while relying on tribal communities for 95 percent of its business.

He said the struggling economy has affected the industry although there are signs that things may be changing. "We've got more positive feedback," he said. "People are getting more play and some things are beginning to come around. But it's still tight out there."

Corinne Stolz, owner of JFF, or Just For Fun, Inc. based in Torrance, Calif., started her business 33 years ago and now is a major supplier of costumes and uniforms for casinos as well as for the motion picture and television industry and theme parks.

Stolz and her designer, Kevin Chen, have been coming to NIGA shows for eight years, and she said that while the exhibit hall traffic this year may be lighter, it has not been discouraging.

"We have not seen as many people, but we've had some very strong quality people who are very serious buyers," she said.

Across the way from her booth was Jeff Lazarus of Bella Bagno Inc., whose distinctive exhibit featured a sparkling white toilet holding wrapped candy in its bowl. The display publicized his company's business of providing the gaming industry with sanitary toilet covers, auto flush adaptors, toilet bowl cleaners and sanitizers.

Lazarus said the exhibit hall seemed less crowded than usual but he hasn't heard much discussion about the economic problems of those in the gaming business.

"This industry is hurt less than the others," he said. "Like, I'm in the aviation industry. Gas prices go up. Travel is less. It affects airports, dollars and this and that. But I think people are still gambling."

For tribal leaders like Stevens, the economic plight that has wracked the nation is nothing new to those in Indian Country. And as he did in his "state of the industry" speech, Stevens said that Natives have had a lengthy struggle to regain rights that have been ruptured by broken treaties and promises.

"So here I told folks: ‘Welcome to our world, America,' " Stevens said in recalling his speech. "This is what we've lived through for generations, and the reason we've survived this is because we stand together. We're united, we hold hands, and we fight this fight together."

One tribal leader who believes in that unity is Robert Benavides, governor of the Pueblo of Isleta in New Mexico. He said he always looked forward to attending the NIGA conventions because they are essential in helping to understand a changing gaming industry as well as explore other economic ventures.

"We learned to look beyond gaming early on," he said with a smile. "Indians are wise that way."

In the meantime, Benavides said he looked forward to NIGA's Wednesday night banquet and the expected musical appearance by the Beach Boys.

"They're from my era," he said with another laugh.

Good vibrations indeed.