Page 8 - August 2006 • Southern California Gaming Guide

August 2006 Gaming News (Continued)
MAajority of Americans Support Indian Gaming
lmost two-thirds majority of registered voters in America—65%—support Indian gaming, according to a national poll released on July 12 by the National Indian Gaming
Association (NIGA).
e national poll was conducted by the independent polling rm Fairbanks, Maslin, Maullin & Associates based upon telephone interviews of 1,000 registered voters nationwide. It has a +/– 3% margin of error.
“ is poll is great news for Indian Country,” noted NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. “It shows that our neighbors across America support our e orts to be self-reliant and that they understand gaming creates economic opportunity and helps preserve and protect our way of life across Indian country.”
According to the poll’s results, American voters overwhelmingly support tribal economic development. Of those surveyed, 84% support tribal government e orts to promote economic self-su ciency, job growth, and new opportunities.
When asked speci c questions about the economic bene ts of Indian gaming, the poll found that high
numbers of American voters believe Indian gaming has a positive impact for those with Tribal government gaming. For example:
• 81% agree that Indian tribes bene t from Indian casinos
• 78% agree that Indian gaming provides revenues that tribes use for essential services to tribal members
• 77% agree that Indian gaming provides jobs for tribal members.
e poll found that American voters support the regulatory system for Indian gaming. Currently, casino- style gaming on Indian lands has a three-tiered system of regulation: Tribal, State and Federal. A signi cant number of those surveyed — 70% — said they approve of this regulatory system and 74% believe that there is substantial regulation of Indian gaming.
“We have always been proud of Indian gaming’s stringent regulatory system and know that our gaming facilities are among the best in the world,” said Chairman Stevens.“It is heartening for us that the American public realizes that no one cares more about the integrity of Indian gaming than the Tribes themselves.”
e national poll also found that 74% of American voters surveyed believe it is very important to maintain Indian culture. Across Indian Country, gaming revenue helps build museums and develops programs to preserve native languages.
e respondents re ect a noticeable trend in tourism — Americans are going to Indian Country as never before. e strong support for Indian gaming is re ected by the fact that more than 50% of Americans have now been to an Indian casino, and in 2005, Indian gaming drew more than 22 million visitors to Indian gaming facilities.
First Three Winners in Casino Pauma’s Off-Road Adventures Promotion
PatrickBartonwasthe rstwinnerintheOff-RoadAdventures On June 23rd, Marcia Kroeze was the second winner, and Promotion, on June 9th, winning $30,000 cash. she also opted for the $30,000 cash option.
On July 14th, Ciriaco Casto became the third winner, and he decided to drive off in a brand new Hummer H3!
ISan Manuel Sets Guinness World RecordTM for Largest Bingo House
n celebration of their 20th anniversary, San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino set a new Guinness World RecordTM for “Largest Bingo House.” e event, held at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 7th, involved 53,991 players, breaking the previous record by over 30,000
sure that the record was well and truly smashed. e nal attendance count of 53,991 places this record in our top 20 mass participation records of all time, and will undoubtedly remain unchallenged for quite a while to come.”
e event was just one part of San Manuel’s 20th anniversary celebration. It marked one of the many unique components of a three month long marketing campaign to celebrate their anniversary. Among the other activities was the distribution of millions of dollars in free slot play to attendees at major Southern California summer events and their Million Dollar
Weekend bingo promotion on July 22 and 23. Over the course of the campaign, over $25 million was given away as part of the anniversary celebration.
people, which was set in Canada in 1983.
San Manuel turned the Dodger Stadium into a temporary open-air bingo hall, where everyone in attendance received a bingo card to play. e bingo game was called between innings and cash prizes
at the game to o cially recognize San Manuel’s Guinness World RecordTM achievement.
“Absolutely nothing was left to chance with San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino’s Guinness World RecordTM attempt,” said Guinness World Records for $10,000, $6,000 Editor-in-Chief Craig
were awarded to three winning participants
and $4,000. e prizes
totaled $20,000 in all
in recognition of San Manuel’s 20th Anniversary. A Guinness World Records representative was present
Glenday, who was present
to witness the event. “Even though the gure to beat was a daunting 15,756,
the 53,000-strong house at the Dodgers’ Stadium made
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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
August 2006
Southern California Gaming News (Continued)