2007 Forecast in Indian Country

Transcription

1 2007 Forecast in Indian Country The Indian gaming industry continues to witness an increase in the number of Indian gaming operations and expansions, and the diversification into non-gaming enterprises. In this issue, Indian Gaming magazine spoke with tribal leaders from across the nation to discuss the plans they have in store for their gaming properties and tribes in the coming year. Here is what they had to say Vincent Armenta, Tribal Chairman Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Chumash Casino Resort Santa Ynez, California visit The future looks bright for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. The success of our Chumash Casino Resort has provided us with the opportunity to look toward prospective economic endeavors and further position our tribe for future generations. We recently purchased the Royal Scandinavian Inn, the largest hotel in our community, and plan to spend a good Vincent Armenta part of 2007 renovating the 25-year-old hotel. This strategic purchase provides us with the largest inventory of hotel rooms in the Santa Ynez Valley - a plus for a tourist destination like ours. In 2007 we also hope to partner with other tribes and use our experience in the gaming industry to help them establish their own tribal gaming facilities. We have traveled a long journey to get to this point and we have valuable expertise to share. As we have done for many years, we will continue to use our success to focus efforts on preserving our culture by creating educational, cultural and language programs for our people. Also, we will reach out to the community and continue to build partnerships and provide donations that help enhance the lives of residents in Santa Barbara County. The possibilities for our tribe are tremendous and we look forward to another successful year. Henry Duro, Chairman San Manuel Band of Mission Indians San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino Highland, California The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians reflects on 2006 with pride in our accomplishments and appreciation for the good things that our tribal community enjoys. We look forward to 2007 with high expectations as we refocus our efforts on the myriad of public policy and government gaming issues that are sure to come our way. Among our pressing Henry Duro priorities for 2007 is the ratification of our gaming compact amendments, a matter left on the table at the end of the 2006 state legislative session. The amendments would extend the compact term through the year 2030, and provide the state with significant additional revenue shares. In December 2006, we broke ground on a new mixed-use development project, which will include a national brand hotel, professional offices, small retail and restaurants in the city of Highland, CA. Grand opening is projected for the fourth quarter of San Manuel will also open a new Residence Inn by Marriott property in Sacramento, CA in partnership with three other Indian tribes in the Three Fires, LLC. Our San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino welcomes some 1.5 million guests each year. We continually work to improve our services and amenities to meet their expectations of quality entertainment. The upcoming entertainment lineup 16 Indian Gaming January 2007

2 for 2007 includes Smokey Robinson, late night's Craig Ferguson, boxing and mixed martial arts and a host of other music and comedy acts. We feel that people choose San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino is because of our emphasis on customer service. Every member of our staff is committed to personal customer service to ensure that our patrons feel at home. The year 2006 was a great year. We'll be working extra hard to ensure that 2007 is even better! Ray Halbritter, Oneida Nation Representative and CEO, Oneida Indian Nation of New York Turning Stone Resort and Casino Verona, New York Turning Stone Resort and Casino, one of the top five tourist attractions in New York State, has drastically changed since our opening in We've grown from offering one entertainment option into a true destination resort as outlined in our master plan. This year, we continue to add amenities as part of that plan. Late in 2006, we opened Ray Halbritter Skaná Spa, a luxury destination spa steeped in American Indian design, with treatments based on traditional Oneida and other American Indian herbs, plants, and flowers. It is the first American-Indian themed spa in the Northeast. Skaná, which is the Oneida word for peace, also features a sweat lodge, slated to open this spring, and built by the Oneidas with the Oglala and Lakota Sioux tribes of South Dakota. Although not traditional to the Oneida, several American Indian tribes used sweat therapy in some form. Also opening this spring is a two-floor, 21,500 sq. ft. nightclub, which will bring high-energy atmosphere to the resort and compliment its lounges, event center, and showroom. We also plan to open an indoor/outdoor tennis facility, featuring four enclosed courts, four outdoor courts, and a 7,000 sq. ft. clubhouse with locker rooms, racquetball and squash courts. Most of our attention, however, will focus on the PGA Tour's Fall Series. Atunyote Golf Club will host the inaugural Turning Stone Resort Championship Sept The event, to be televised on the Golf Channel, will feature a $6 million purse, making it the top money tournament in the series and in the top 25 percent for all PGA Tour events. The Nation and the PGA have committed to the tournament through The Oneida Indian Nation joins our employees in welcoming the year's upcoming milestones. With hard work and dedication, we've been able to achieve success and we look forward to reaching our future goals. Stan Jones, Sr., Chairman Tulalip Tribes Tulalip Casino & Quil Ceda Creek Casino Tulalip, WA The coming year means progress for Tulalip Tribes - not only for our business ventures, but for projects benefiting the environment and our community as well. Our businesses are booming and we are continuing to diversify our tribal economy. Two new business opportunities are on the horizon, including the addition of a high-tech company and a light-manufacturing company to our business park. We'll be continuing Stan Jones, Sr. the construction of the Tulalip Resort Casino. The 363-room, four-star Tulalip Hotel is scheduled to open in 2008 and we'll be ramping up our casino marketing efforts throughout In cooperation with local farmers and conservationists, we will break ground on a historic biogas plant this year. By creating electricity from local farm waste, we'll be able to help Snohomish County farmers stay in business - which means more regional farmland and less pollution. We are also on target to complete a wetland project that will keep our streams clean and our salmon population healthy. The Tulalip Tribes are looking forward to exciting changes this year, but more than anything, we are looking forward to strengthening our dedication to our community. Over the last 14 years, the Tulalip Tribes have given more than $22 million to charitable organizations in the Northwest Washington region, $2.3 million during 2006 alone. With more opportunities and growth in Tulalip than ever before, we're excited to also give back more than ever before. 18 Indian Gaming January 2007

3 Nora McDowell-Antone, Chairperson Fort Mojave Indian Tribe Avi Resort and Casino Laughlin, NV Spirit Mountain Casino Mojave Valley, Arizona As we begin 2007, the leadership of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe has a very optimistic outlook about the year ahead. Our overall goal is to continue providing quality programs and services to the members of the Fort Mojave community. In an effort to realize this goal, we plan to take on several new economic development projects in addition to enhancing those already in existence. Our biggest economic development project scheduled for 2007 is to break ground on a new casino that will be located off of Interstate 40 just outside of Needles California. With existing casinos in Nevada and Arizona, the Fort Mojave Tribe will become the Designed for Native American Investors Who Seek Growth In A Portfolio of U.S. Companies Utilizing a disciplined, time-tested approach known as value investing, Sycuan Capital Management, Inc. presents this Value Fund that uncovers U.S. companies whose shares are trading at a discount to their intrinsic value. Ticker Symbol SYCUX Cusip 87124E107 For More Information Contact: VaRene Martin Principal Relationship Manager varene@sycuanfunds.com Investors should consider the investment objective, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. The Fund s prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund and is available upon request by calling Please obtain and carefully read the prospectus before investing. Nora McDowell-Antone first tribe in Indian Country to own casinos in three different states. The addition of the California casino will put our tribe one step closer to economic self sufficiency. One of our existing gaming properties, the Avi Resort and Casino in Laughlin, Nevada, recently unveiled its phase 2 expansion. The expansion included 310 more slot machines and a state-of-the-art banquet and convention center unrivaled by any in the area. In 2007 the Avi will begin the preliminary stages of their phase 3 expansion to include 350 additional guest rooms as well as a larger marina and beach area for recreation purposes. As we continue to experience rapid growth and take on new economic development projects we remain committed to protecting our environment, sacred sites, and cultural legacy. This commitment to responsible growth is part of our commitment to future generations. Edward Metcalf, Chairman Coquille Indian Tribe The Mill Casino Hotel North Bend, Oregon Our 2007 plans for The Mill Casino Hotel and RV Park were well underway at the end of Most of our $40 million casino and hotel expansion will be completed in The first element - our new waterfront, smokefree lounge - opened in November, and much of our casino floor expansion, which makes room for 170 new slots, will be open before the year Edward Metcalf ends. A new gift shop in an expanded hotel lobby and a larger conference and banquet room will open early in 2007 along with a new poker room. A 150-seat entertainment lounge is set to open in the spring followed by a new entrance and larger non-smoking gaming area. Meanwhile, construction is underway on our sevenstory addition to The Mill Hotel that will feature 92 rooms, all with bay views, and five additional meeting rooms. Proceeds from our gaming operations allow the tribe to expand our growing slate of health, housing and education services to tribal members. We are using a federal grant to 20 Indian Gaming January 2007

4 contract with our tribally-owned telecommunications company to bring fiber-optic cable to our reservation property, which will open opportunities for improved tribal operations and encourage home-grown businesses. We also will continue to invest in our diverse portfolio of tribally-owned businesses, which includes the start of construction of Ko Kwel Wharf - a 35-acre retail and entertainment development along the Coos Bay waterfront. Kenneth Meshigaud, Tribal Chairperson Hannahville Indian Community Tribe of Potawatomi Island Resort & Casino Harris, Michigan The Hannahville Indian Community Tribe of Potawatomi will open our $42 million expansion to the public in The expansion consists of a new 11-story hotel tower with an additional 264 rooms and an expanded gaming floor with approximately 400 new slot machines, bringing the total to over 1,200. A new eatery dubbed The Beachcombers Restaurant will open, giving our customers a third option for dining. The new Island Showroom will seat over 1,200, nearly doubling its previous capacity. A conveniently located hotel pool will provide guests easier access and replaces the existing pool area that is currently under renovation and will become the Castaways Nightclub. It's an Kenneth Meshigaud exciting year for the Island Resort and Casino. As the expansion celebrates its opening, the resort will ready itself for the final construction phase and grand opening of the Sweet Grass Golf Course. The course at the Island will be 18 holes of championship caliber fairways and greens but promises to be very player friendly. Nearly the longest course in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan it will boast the only true island green in the State of Michigan. Hole 15 on the Sweet Grass will January 2007 Indian Gaming 21

5 be the jewel in the crown of the Island Resort's new course. Located in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan just two hours north of Green Bay, Wisconsin, the Island is proud to host guests from around the Midwest. We pride ourselves on superior customer service and invite you to our facility to enjoy a night, a weekend or perhaps a week at one of the Midwest's premier gaming facilities. Dale A. Miller, Chairman Elk Valley Rancheria Elk Valley Casino Crescent City, California We anticipate that the recent change in political scenery will test tribal rights and state interests. We will seek to enhance our governmental status locally and at the state and federal levels. We will do so through continued education of elected officials and the public as well as an assertion of our sovereign rights balanced with an awareness of the inter-governmental interests and pub- Dale A. Miller lic perception that are becoming ever more important. For example, the tribe's Tribal Historic Preservation Officer program was recently implemented and that program promises to increase the tribe's participation in important issues both on and off-reservation. We will also continue our proactive role in Indian gaming and to support tribal rights to self-sufficiency through tribal unity. We will acquire real property and strengthen our ability to exercise and expand our tribe's rights. One vehicle to effective exercise of our sovereign rights is economic development. We plan to implement important changes at the Elk Valley Casino to increase profits and to continue to diversify our economic interests. We anticipate the acquisition of additional land in trust and fee property within and contiguous to our reservation. We look forward to the acquisition of our Martin Ranch parcel in trust for gaming purposes and the development of an exciting new resort and casino, which will significantly benefit the entire community. Finally, we will undertake new on and off-reservation economic ventures and temper those efforts with an ever-vigilant effort to protect and promote our culture, history, and sovereign rights. Delores Pigsley, Tribal Chairman Confederated Tribe of Siletz Indians Chinook Winds Casino Resort Lincoln City, Oregon looks to be an exciting year for the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the tribe's restoration to federal recognition. In November, the 30th annual Restoration Pow Wow held was filled with time honored traditional dance for all ages and Native American vendors displaying their works of art. But more than that, it commemorated years Delores Pigsley of intense struggle followed by phenomenal progress. Our gaming property has an exciting expansion planned for our golf resort for We are planning on adding an additional 70 acres to our golf course, adding new holes that will take in lake frontage, expanding through thick forest into the highest peaks that will include ocean views. This contrast from lakefront to ocean views will truly result in one of the more unforgettable golfing experiences in the State of Oregon. We will be completing a thorough upgrade of our ocean front Suites in This will take the FF&E and amenities to a higher level, comparable to a four diamond experience, complete with down pillows and comforters. With ocean front balconies, guests will see why it is truly better at the beach. Finally, our casino floor will see a remodel to our high stakes area, expanding the size and amenities provided for our elite players. Our property will offer a broader mix of high end slot machines, plus a private area for those who like the thrill of high stakes Black Jack. CASINO MARKETING DIRECTORS Please contact Nicolle Meyers (425) or Brian Drozdov (425) to get the Password for your Complimentary Casino/Resort property page at: 22 Indian Gaming January 2007

6 Gregory E. Pyle, Chief Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Choctaw Casino Broken Bow, Choctaw Casino Resort and Hotel, Choctaw Casino Grant, Choctaw Casino Idabel, Choctaw Casino McAlester, Choctaw Casino Stringtown, Choctaw Pocola Casino, Blue Ribbon Downs Racino & Racetrack Oklahoma The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma continues to travel in a very positive direction, with a revitalization of tribal culture and economic success in the forefront. Success on the business front is led strongly with the gaming enterprises of the tribe, located in Durant, Pocola, McAlester, Idabel, Broken Bow, Stringtown, Sallisaw and Grant. The new Choctaw Casino Resort and Hotel in Durant, with 1,400 machines, blackjack, poker tables and off-track betting, is the largest of the eight gaming sites owned by the Choctaw Nation. The Pocola Casino's expansion has grown the gaming opportunities to a 100-station OTB area, each with a flat screen monitor, more than 1,000 electronic games and three restaurants. Profitable tribal business, especially gaming, has made it possible to help many individuals in emergency situations. Jobs have also been developed because of the growth of gaming and other businesses. Services have been expanded to offer greater assistance in areas such as education, home financing, health and programs that benefit tribal youth. Gregory E. Pyle The Choctaw Nation now has fourteen Head Start centers, including four child development centers in Idabel, Stigler, Coalgate and Bennington, seven casinos, seventeen community centers and thirteen travel plazas. Health care has expanded with a hospital in Talihina and clinics in Idabel, Stigler, Poteau, Hugo, McAlester and Broken Bow. In the coming year, gaming dollars will be spent on construction of additional facilities to serve Choctaw people, including new clinics in McAlester, Broken Bow and Atoka, a child development center in Durant and large community centers in Stigler, Durant and Idabel. January 2007 Indian Gaming 23