Opinion: Mohegan Tribe stirs the pot in Wisconsin

Tuesday, April 10, 2007  

"A red plague spreads from Connecticut “sucking billions from Massachusetts.” It soon overwhelms New York and New Jersey as a munching sound crescendos toward the announcer’s foreboding prose. It darts into the heart of Pennsylvania. Then, it sets its sights on Kenosha. The red virus quickly envelops much of Wisconsin. As the website Noeastcoast.com flashes across the screen, it is evident a worthy cause has been scuttled by its own exuberance.

That was one of two TV ads from the coalition group Wisconsin Gaming for Wisconsin, whose stated goal is to “inform citizens of gaming issues affecting the state,” according to a press release. But they were actually founded to oppose a bid by Connecticut’s Mohegan tribe to construct the nation’s largest casino between Atlantic City and Las Vegas in nearby southeastern Wisconsin.

While the Mohegans may well have humanitarian motivations in constructing this casino, it’s not unreasonable to view this reach by a rapidly expanding financial empire as a threat to the economic vitality of local tribes. It would essentially let select American Indian tribes circumvent state law by sharing revenues with locals and allow financial powerhouses like the Mohegans to build a national gaming conglomerate. This may seem like everyone wins at first, but in practice, billions will be siphoned off from local tribal economies to help far-off powerhouses.

Wisconsin’s Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Milwaukee Urban League, VISIT Milwaukee and the Forest County Potomatami Community were wise to form Wisconsin Gaming for Wisconsin. Quite simply, it is an interest group, and a massive casino in Kenosha is against its interests. Heck, it’s even got a persuasive title."

Get the Story:
Bassey Etim: Mohegan casino infects discourse (The Badger Herald 4/10)