Q&A: Lawyer Howard Dickstein on Indian gaming

Monday, August 11, 2008  

The Sacramento Bee interviews Howard Dickstein, an attorney who represents a small group of tribes in California, about Indian gaming issues in the state.

Q: "Two major casino tribes, Viejas and Pechanga, recently announced layoffs amid a weakening economy. Is this the canary in the casino – proof that tribal gambling is vulnerable to economic downturns and its growth and financial contributions to the state treasury are far from assured?"

A: "I think the timing turned out to be very bad for a few tribes because they entered into compacts that required them to increase their revenue shares with the state dramatically, and when they did so – when negotiations occurred – it was based on certain economic conditions. … But these are temporary dislocations. … It's certainly nothing like the credit markets. You're not going to see casinos going under. You're going to see casinos tightening their belts, operating as efficiently as they can and with reduced profits. But certainly no casinos are losing money."

Q: "We are six months removed from a $150 million ballot fight that pitted some of the state's wealthiest tribes against one another over 17,000 new slots voters approved for four Southern California tribes. What is the enduring impact on inter-tribal relations and gambling politics in California?"

A: I don't think it will have a huge, enduring impact. Tribes, like any political entities or governments, from time to time don't see eye to eye. … Tribes on both sides of that issue are now working together on the governor's lottery proposal, which they are united against – just as they are united against expansion of slot machines and gambling for nonprofits and urban areas."

Get the Story:
Q&A: Tribal lawyer says there’s a united front on California gambling (The Sacramento Bee 8/11)
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