International and jurisdictional update
10:15 AM October 17, 2001

Wall Street Eyes Gaming Section. Examination of the New Administration in Washington and their determination on how Wall Street judges the outlook for gaming companies now and in the future. The main question was:  Will the Fallen empire of Dot Com rebound ? Yes, in time it will be back in good state, as reported by panelist.

The panelist were Joe Warner, reporter from the Press of Atlantic City, Dave Anders of Merrill Lynch, Robertson Stevens, Robin Barley, Executive Director of UBS Wallburg, Larry Klatzkin, Senior Vice President of Jefferson Company and Andrew Zarnick of the Deustche Bank.

This panelist focused on non-Indian Gaming. The information received was not relevant regarding Indian Gaming relating to Wall Street. However, one company discussed in detail, was Mandalay. David Anders of Merrill Lynch did not know if other gaming facilities pay taxes. A Tribal President from the Arizona tribe assertively responded with accurate information to this panel and audience.
This session broaden my knowledge based in regards to understanding Wall Street, stock and bonds.

Regulators: Points and Peeves
11:15 - 12:15 p.m.

Gaming Regulators from around the United States and international gaming jurisdiction addressed current issues in the world of gaming regulations. Moderator was Corey Aronopickzi, Esq., Casino Law group from Chicago, IL. Points of interest were experiences of regulators. It was mentioned that tribal regulators are in the experimental stage. Referring to tribes submitting their regulation outcomes to the state and the state regulators deciding on the findings.

Recommendations made by panelists: 1. Stopping duplication is cost effective to the gaming facility. 2. Fingerprinting only needs to be done 1 time a year and all these fingerprints go to the FBI. 3. Uniformed Standards on gaming regulations throughout the United States.

Erin Brockivich
9:00 AM Thursday October 18

She spoke of her life and events that led to her movie. She emphasized communication and personal integrity. Julia Roberts captured her persona. I couldn't figure out what her story had to do with gaming, although, inspirational. Maybe, the fact that the cases were in federal court.

"Inside The Beltway"
October 18, 2001 10:15 AM

A broad look at the ten months of the Bush Administration. This panel analyzed Indian Gaming in this new political arena. The moderator was Jenna Kaeg, Vice-President of Government Relations and also a columnist for Indian Gaming magazine. The panelist was Tom Brierton, Principle Janet Merrit lobbyist for National Indian Gaming Association, John Guziek lobbyist, and John Tahsuda, of Counsel Hobbs, Stravs, Dean, & Walker, LLC. Recommendations made by panelists were: 1. tax credits need to be expended, 2. energy production bills that are proposed need to be understood and responded to. 3. Energy bill still remains an issue with many Indian tribes.

Since 9/11/01, Washington, D.C., demonstrates partisan. Amendments added to Legislation are money laundering to combat junk "credit cards", and campaign contribution being restricted. Issue of Wolfe & Shea, regarding Indian recognition being made an issue to slow down the gaming process. There is another senator who is working on banning ATM machines from casinos. They recommended that the parties be focused and utilize a narrow approach for success when going to court.

Indian Gaming Regulatory Class II Gaming Regulatory
11:15 - 1:30 PM

Also mentioned by the panelists were to look past Indian gaming and look into other issues that are important. Support your local Legislature, support Indian candidates to take public office, be pro-active, and start taking an offense rather then defensive approach.

Land and trust issues remain an unresolved topic within the Department of Interior. Law- suits have an affect on procedural process in regarding trust and land issues. Proposed rules are taken to many for discussion on the pros and cons, regarding the revisions of trust and land proposals. There is an extension date of 11-10-01 regarding this trust and land proposal. BIA fired concerns regarding off-reservation acquisitions also, the more stagnant process tribes have to go through to get land put into trust. As of today the outcome, remains unknown.

Secretarial procedure: Panelist remarked that there is a break down, the Supreme Court stops sovereign immunity based on court cases. There is no agreement on the administrative alternative, which involves the Secretary of Interior. Department of Interior has met with many state Governors to discuss Indian gaming. Neil McCabe, Department of Indian Affairs, has a plan to revise the process and administrative review. He will be relying heavily on agencies such as the BIA. There were two bills that have been introduced, 1. To be rid of BIA, however; this bill has not been moved on. One of the more humorous topics was the federal study to find out who and what are real Indians, this was brought on by Shea.

Another issue was the National Indian Gaming Commission, who will define and clarify Class II and Class III gaming in the next few months.

We were give an update on the political front:
Monte Deer will be replaced by a Republican and replacing Terri House and Elizabeth Hommer. The Senate Committee is moving and doing well with changes. The Senate Committee is receptive to the clarification of Class II and Class III Gaming Act. Senator McCain needs proof that Indian Gaming is being regulated successfully. They talked about the Facsimile vs. the Johnson Act. The ruling decision regarding Facsimile was supported by the Attorney General. This was not helpful, however; the lobbyist and strategist that were talking, were hopeful to see that by rescinding this it would be a positive change for all tribes.

As reported by the panelists the Department of Justice responded to this differently, evidenced by it being in three courts which is the 9th & 10th Circuit and D.C. What they described was how the Department of Interior relates to the NIGC, who proposes laws and if the Department of Interior does not approve they bring lawsuits against NIGC, then there is a countersuit from them to Department of Interior. Department of Justice filed a brief and encourages law suits to be taken to Supreme Court. Department of Justice has established policy that have created barriers and obstacles to Native Americans throughout the United States. Native American tribes need strategy to address the NIGC. NIGC needs to clarify their policies and to look more into the positive and negative impact on Indian Gaming.

Wilson Pipestem reported Congress is involved presently in clarifying the Class II language to repeal the Johnson Act that costs tribal dollars, however, this died in the Senate. NIGC needs timelines in their writing and research. Pre-certification was another key point discussed. Information I understood was based on the informative readings received from Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Enderson & Perry, Law firm in Washington, D.C.

The moderator was Michael Lambardi, President of Lambardi Consulting and a columnist for Indian gaming business. The panelists were Tracy Burris, Chairman, Oklahoma Indian Gaming association. Steve Otto, of Council, Hobb, Straus, Dean, & Walker, LLC. Anthony Meranda, President, Pechanga, Development Corporation, Wilson Pipestem, Managing member, Ietain Consulting, LLC.

Government Regulations and it's effect on gaming revenue
1:45 - 5:00 PM Exhibit/Expo

Government regulations that have significant impact on gaming revenues. It was to talk about the results of some in-depth studies of the impact that the government regulations have on gaming demand and revenue at a number of casinos gaming venues.

This was one that I wished to attend on Friday, however; I had to leave at 9:00 AM for Airport (with the three- hour check in time).

My Arrival time home was 11pm on October 19, 2001.