We had a great time at the the 2011 NIGA Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention.  Some of our favorite vendors on the tradeshow floor were those that readily reflected the ethic of tribal gaming -- improving the quality of life for tribal communities and their neighbors.

In our last post, we mentioned the sweet grass infused hotel bathroom amenities.  These are put out by Sister Sky, founded by sisters Marina TurningRobe and Monica Simeon of the Spokane Tribe.  When Monica's young son suffered from eczema, she was inspired by traditional herbal remedies to develop a lotion infused with yarrow and chamomile, now marketed as Kevin's Cure.

We had a terrific time at the 2011 NIGA Indian Gaming Tradeshow.  (More on our panel on Internet gaming later.)  Here's a report of our tour of the tradeshow floor.

The tradeshow featured a very impressive range of vendors:

- gaming machines, of course, including the latest and brightest
- casino architecture and interior design
- cards, dice, chips
- machine and table seating
- signage
- air freshener system (the Wynn and Encore, by the way, has our favorite scented casino air)
- paper products, including all the different grades of toilet paper you would want to choose from
- tobacco products, including "sweet" cigarettes (one of the few free samples we passed on)

We're packing to head off to Arizona for the National Indian Gaming Association's 2011 Tradeshow and Convention in Phoenix.  We're excited, and not just because Phoenix hit the high 90s yesterday, while we here in Grand Forks were treated to a snowstorm.  We are participating in a panel on the federal and state legislative outlook on Internet gaming.  Steve is moderating the panel, and Kathryn is presenting on the issue from the perspective of tribal policymaking.  The challenge in tribal Internet gaming is that the anticipated state and/or federal legalization will lack the public policy focus of IGRA, as well as the regulatory structure tailored to that policy focus.  Our pitch is that this is an opportunity for tribes to shape that policy focus and resulting reg

Alabama won't take no for an answer.  Or, more to the point, it won't take "Class II" for an answer.

State officials continue to try to apply state regulations to the gaming machines operated by the Poarch Creek Indian Tribe.  The NIGC has determined that the tribe's machines are Class II.  And as anyone familiar with Indian gaming law knows, Class II gaming falls under tribal and federal jurisdiction.  Unlike Class III gaming, there is no regulatory role for the state with Class II gaming.  State law only comes into play in determining whether Class II gaming is legal in the state as operated "for any purpose by any person."  And bingo is legal in Alabama.

Kathryn and Steve are panelists at the upcoming National Indian Gaming Association Tradeshow and Convention, April 3-6, 2011, in Phoenix.  They will participate in a panel on Internet Gaming: Federal and State Legislative Outlook, scheduled for Tuesday, April 5, at 9 am.  Their take on the topic will include issues related to Internet gaming that tribes should examine as tribal governments -- that is, beyond the profitability and feasibility of Internet gaming, what are the policy issues tribes should consider in deciding whether and how to pursue Internet gaming

Minnesota lawmakers once again will consider the expansion of legalized gambling in the state.  Today, Sen. Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin, along with Sen. Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, and Rep. Bob Gunther, R-Fairmont, are expected to introduce legislation that will authorize gaming machines at two race tracks.  The proposed racinos locations are gaming devices at Running Aces, along Interstate 35 near Forest Lake, and Shakopee’s Canterbury Park.  While the two horse parks already can offer poker and gaming tables, the addition of slot machines would put them in direct competition with tribal casinos.

Our friend and colleague Kevin Washburn, Dean of the University of New Mexico School of Law, has a new casebook out: Gaming and Gambling Law: Cases and Materials, published by Wolters Kluwer.  Our readers who teach gambling law or gambling studies at the law school or university level will want to order a review copy.  Congrats, Kevin, on this important contribution to the academic study of gambling law!