Tribes don't compete for dollars

By: M.B. 'Sonny' Magante - Commentary | Monday, July 12, 2004 9:36 PM PDT ∞

Rincon Tribal Chairman John Currier should stop complaining about the five tribes signing new compacts with the state and be thankful for his own tribe's casino near the main highway. The joint venture with Harrah's of Las Vega has made the Rincon tribe successful in the casino business.

The Pauma Band of Mission Indians was very happy to see Rincon grow from a temporary, midsize casino to a permanent structure with 1,700 to 2,000 slot machines and a large hotel. Several years ago, the Paumas contemplated building a larger casino and hotel, but the tribe decided to hold off until the Pala and Rincon bands finished their projects.

When the Rincons expanded their business, Currier wasn't concerned about the Pauma casino and how much business the Rincons may take away from our tribe.

Currier had the same opportunity as the five tribes that have signed the new compacts. Instead, Currier filed a lawsuit in federal court to try to stop the new compacts, which, he said, will put the Rincon tribe "at a competitive disadvantage with its neighbors."

Currier should know there is no competition among our casinos in Southern California. Go to Las Vegas: Their casinos are next door and across the street from each other. Do you hear them complaining when a larger casino is built down the street or next door?

The Rincon and Pala bands have expanded their casino operations and the tribes are very successful. I am very happy that tribes have found a way to become more self-sustaining and no longer depend on federal, state or county funding.

It is common knowledge that the Pauma Band agreed to become business partners with Caesars Palace from Las Vegas to build our new casino and resort. We are looking forward to installing more machines and more tables to increase our tribal revenue. This will assist our youth's higher education, help other tribal members and the local private sector.

Currier has said, "These new gaming compacts will create a number of megacasinos that could put smaller tribes like Rincon out of business and force many of our tribal members back on public assistance."

Get real. Currier should have the tribe set aside money to assist members in case of financial crisis. He could invest tribal income in an interest-bearing account for tribal assistance and economic development, in case the state or federal governments find a way to close the casino operations.

M.B. "Sonny" Magante is a member of the Pauma Band of Mission Indians.