That's the same, that's the
Alright, good to go.
Alright, thank you for your
patience.
And you can just look directly at me
for this entire interview.
Thank you.
And for our records, can I just have
you slowly say and spell your
first and last name?
Dominic Ortiz, D-O-M-I-N-I
C-O R-T-I Z,
CEO of Pottawatomie Casinos and
Hotels.
And also for our records, can I have
you identify your tribal
affiliation?
And role member of the Prairie Band
Potawatomi Nation of Kansas.
And now, Potawatomi
Casino here in Wisconsin,
in Milwaukee.
Tell us about this fantastic
sports room we're in today.
So, what you are in is
the first retail
sports book by the Forest County
Potawatomi and we have
opened not only just a
sports book but it has become the
number one retail sports book venue
in the country.
So when you say retail and people
are thinking gaming, if they
don't understand, what does that
mean?
So the retail means that you have to
be in person,
physically at the casino location
in order to place a
bet.
And that brings us to the heart of
why we're here today.
AB Bill 601.
Last week I watched for about five
or six hours for them to get down
there. I had already passed in the
assembly and it was brought to the
Senate. And they had some
discussions and it looks like
it's moving forward.
So what are some of your initial
thoughts on the possibility
of online sports
betting here in Milwaukee, in
Wisconsin overall?
Yeah, well, I see this as a big
win for all the tribes and the
state of Wisconsin and the reason
that it's so critical and timing
we wish we had a
longer time frame to
get involved or to put together
solutions. But the fact of the
matter is a multitude
of companies have already opened up
sports betting across the state and
Wisconsin from illegal operators to
offshore to predictions to
sweep stakes to
fantasy draft
plus. So.
When we see that happening,
none of those benefits are coming
back to the state.
And we've had a great model for over
35 years where tribes
have had exclusive gaming rights in
the state and have created
investments in local communities
and facilities and shared millions
and millions of dollars in tax
revenue, kept those benefits in
the State of Wisconsin.
So when we see these benefits
leaving and to
outside operators, it was...
Immediate concern to us to get
with the legislature, to get with
the tribes and talk about it and say
we got an opportunity now.
Hub and spoke model has been
confirmed by the courts and hub and
spoke means that server on on
trust land is where the bet takes
place, allowing us to pursue an
opportunity as you've seen with the
legislation to now
get us one step closer to statewide
mobile sports.
What do you think Governor Ebers
will sign?
Isn't that the question of the day
so uh...
We hope that he will and hope that
uh... He will sit down and listen to
all the tribes and understand how
critically important it is uh...
Not just for the tribes but for the
state of wisconsin if we don't do
anything to sign this bill we're all
going to be left out here with no
options other than retail while
uh... These industries continue
to come out of state and continue
to uh...
Take these benefits out with us we
don't even have the ability to
compete and bring that back i know
for us or a bottle of water, maybe.
This is a big thing for us and that
future includes more investments in
Milwaukee is why we continue to
pursue that.
The governor has said he's not
maybe ready to sign it just yet.
He wants to make sure that all
tribes are on board.
Do you think there's still some
questions that some tribes may
be looking for answers?
Yeah, I certainly think there are
some rocks in the road, but nothing
that we can't break down the pebbles
and move out of the way.
The tribes see this as
a big win.
It's a great partnership with the
state where, yeah, we can get ahead
of this. And we have
proven that we have responsible
gaming. Our tribal-led solution,
we're going to come to market better
than what the outside commercials
did for responsible gaming,
from ID monitoring to know
your customer.
To protections by just allowing
ACH in debit as
your form of payments.
We'll continue to go further from
that. We don't anticipate
or look forward
to any kind of predatory aggressive
practices. These outside commercials
have been charged fine and
have a history of nothing but
those type of practices in the
state. None of that value stays
here. So that's why I think the
legislature got it right,
giving the tribes an opportunity to
generate more tax revenue.
More shared revenue amongst the
nation's and build jobs.
We have over 10,000 jobs local
communities in the state and it's
important that we continue to
support that
So you're working with people that
come in every day.
Are they asking why
don't you have online sports
weddings?
Yeah, that's the question, because
someone may open their phone, I got
it right here.
You know, and it's like, well, that,
that is what we're saying.
And you know, the big message out
there is that individuals are
comfortable with our brand.
When we opened up retail, I mean,
it was nothing but, oh, thank you,
we're so glad we don't have to drive
to that other state that we don't
want to talk about.
We can keep our, we want to keep our
money and our bets in the state of
Wisconsin, and we want a bet with
somebody that knows that...
As a high integrity
and 35 years of responsible gaming,
we're that opportunity for you.
If guests are saying, I have it
right here, how are you going to
drive them to the app
or the next process to use it
here where our tribes in this
state can benefit?
Yeah, so if we're able to go
statewide, we now expand our
reach and growth for not
just a retail sports book to place a
bet in a physical location.
So the statewide expands our margin
throughout the state and allows us
to compete where other states
like Michigan and Illinois have
already have statewide
mobile sports betting.
The hub and spoke model, so how
would that really work?
The hub and spoke model confirmed
in the courts, the way it works is
that right now we're in
a casino on Tribal Trustland.
It's the same concept.
We put the servers on Tribel
Trustland, therefore when
you're sitting at your couch getting
ready to place a bet, you have come
through a spoke all the way to
our hub on the Tribal
Trustland and that bet takes place
on that server here.
So that allows for
statewide gaming.
So would it be like an app or would
they be able to use
it in the way that they had before?
Is it something they have to
download or is it the same process?
Absolutely, all of our apps
would be offered in every store,
available for download across the
phones. That's exactly right.
You download the app, you would go
through our Consumer Protection
Responsible Gaming Controls and
download it and set up and you're
off to the races, ready for your
parlays and ready for all
the sports betting action you can
handle.
So you're excited and hopeful that
this will come together.
I am, you know, I truly believe that
this is a great opportunity
for the tribes and the state.
I know that big beliefs
that we'll be able to come together
at the table and that
they'll see this as
a benefit. You know, we don't want
to sit back for another year or two
or three and not have the
opportunity to engage Wisconsin
and keep these benefits here.
We're only giving a leg up and
sending money out of the state if we
don't t allow to get in front of
this and bring this market.
To fruition.
Some of the opposers to
the bill, some of the lawmakers, did
mention some of the safeguards that
you talked about, but how will they
actually be implemented on these
apps for people?
Yeah, in our minds that's
again a stringent
ID monitoring and
verification process and know your
customer and our
ability to, our new tools are
advanced and have us the ability to
manage and look for
problem gambling so we can deal with
it before it occurs and then just
our overall investment in
responsible gaming throughout the
state and our commitment to these
appropriate practices.
Aggressive predatory that we've seen
from these out guys who have a
multitude of violations and
jurisdictions would like to believe
that they're the answer to your
solution, but it's not.
We've seen success here in Wisconsin
with this current framework,
and we know we can deliver a
competitive environment.
I believe our app is incrementally
above the competition and even the
commercials. We've worked hard to
make sure that we develop that.
So I would say give us a chance,
hear the table, and let's let
Wisconsin bet.
And it would keep money in the state
and within the tribe.
Absolutely, you know, absolutely.
With What's at Stake, we don't
need them outside to come in and
serve this market and shift it out.
The way that we keep the jobs and
support the communities and for us
to continue to reinvest in the city
of Milwaukee, this is the
pathway forward.
Our ability to engage our customers
and continue to build
responsible gaming across the state
of Wisconsin.
But how would it impact the
relationships that you may already
have with DraftKings and other
companies like them?
Well you know at the end of the day
we provided opportunities and
clearly laid out the line.
You know if you're willing to abide
by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act
then you're allowed into
our competitive environment at the
end of day.
So will new compacts have to be
made?
Absolutely, and I'm glad you brought
that up because, you know,
I believe that hopeful that
the governor will listen to the
tribes and we seize the majority of
these and want the less Wisconsin
bet. If he signs that, on
the other side of that, we will work
through this compact process
in a unified front across all
the tribes to bring together the
right solution in a timely manner
because this is already happening
and we're losing out on opportunity.
So for us, it's critical
that we let Wisconsin
bet."
And people will think casinos,
they're bringing in a lot of money,
but how does it really
get down to impacting the
tribes and how is the money being
used?
So our tribes, of
course, run a
full tribal government that provides
critical services to our elder,
to our language revitalization,
to emergency services, to roads
and infrastructure in and around
their local community.
So the tribes have
shown for 35 years that they
continue to invest in the
communities that they've been a part
of for hundreds of years.
This is their home, this is what
they want to protect.
We just see that the benefit
is this
is where it belongs in the state
with the tribes and continue to
allow us to grow.
And if the governor signs is the
next step to the BIA and
getting the federal government on
board, any thoughts on that, and
will they support?
Yeah well I certainly think
they would and our
approach would be to work in
a unified mission across all
the tribes in a model compacting
process that would deliver a
fair and equitable solution for
the market.
Another question I want to ask you.
There's been a change.
The amount that's being considered
for a jackpot has been risen from
1,200 to 2,000.
How does that higher threshold for
what's considered a jack pot affect
guests here?
Well, it actually provides a
better gaming experience.
I don't have to stop every time
a machine hits 1,200.
I mean, we pay out millions in
jackpots on a daily basis.
So you can imagine how many times a
1, 200 mark gets hit.
So now you can stay in
play and in action.
And we don't to initiate that
W2G until 2000.
So it's less work, less
transactions that we have to do on
the floor. And we allow the
player experience to be a little
more seamless and a little more
engaged.
And another question, under new tax
laws after Jackpot,
gamblers can see a write-off
of 90% of their gambling losses
instead of 100%.
How does this impact customers and
the casino?
Yeah, you know, that impacts each
individual differently, but we
certainly, you know, in the
industry would like to see that
change.
So last week was a
positive week for
online sports betting, and you're
hoping that things continue to go on
that track.
Yeah, this legislation was certainly
a win for making us
one step closer to statewide
mobile sports betting, and we see
that as a win from the tribes and
the state.
And for the lawmakers who were
concerned and made some comments
about, follow the money and
question, is this dirty money?
How would you respond to that?
Yeah, I would look to the 35
years of history of tribal
gaming and the relationships that we
have. Look at what we have created,
the responsible gaming, the
communities, the infrastructure and
the jobs. Believe in us.
We will deliver and this
is a partnership you can count on
and we will protect the consumers.
We will bring responsible gaming
to a next level.
They made the right choice.
These outside operators don't care
about Wisconsin.
These are elite guys sitting out in
New York and Boston.
This is the homeland, this is the
Great Lakes, this is where it
belongs and we need to keep these
benefits here and protect the land,
protect the people and continue to
drive economics.
And lastly, this report will not
only be on PBS Wisconsin for
our whole state to watch, but also
with ICT Indian Country
today, a much larger reach.
Any other thoughts that you want to
share to the larger national Native
community?
Yeah, come see me next week.
I'll be talking about the Hub and
Spoke model with tribal leaders
from the San Manuel Nation.
I also have a representative from
the Stockbridge Muncie Nation
will be joining us in center
stage to talk about the success
of Hub and spoke and how Hub and
spoke can help you exercise
your sovereignty and continue to
push and support tribes in
the way that we have been successful
before.
Because it's in Florida, right?
Did it start in Florida?
It did, the hub and spoke model
started in Florida and was affirmed
by the courts and that recently
came upon us.
You know five years ago tribes
didn't have the ability to push
force this hub and spoke model so
to the other tribal nations watch
what we're doing.
We have had a multitude of the
biggest nations across the country
have opined and helped us
set this path and prepare because we
know that this above all
thing is an exorcision of
sovereignty and ability to create.
Local economics for the state and
the tribe and to keep it here, to
keep it here.
And lastly, within those compacts, I
just want to understand,
is that a renegotiation or new
negotiation for online and how
much the casinos would give
to the state?
Absolutely, all those details would
be for discussion in the model
compacting process.
Would that be different per casino
or would it be overall for
the state?
Yeah, in general, we
are going to keep a unified
approach, so we hope to bring
a fairly similar unified
compact to the table that we all
agreed on to make it easy for the
state and the tribes.
Okay, I wanted that clarification.
Thank you so much for this interview
today. Thank you.
Before I wrap it up, I want to just
take a minute or two and just get a
wide shot of you guys just
conversing. Okay.
So if you could stick to the topic.
All right, yep, yep.
I'm not much of a
gambler, but I like the slot
machine. Okay.
The slot machine is my thing.
I used to play blackjack when I was
a teenager. Yeah.
But I don't play anywhere.
I may try it from time to time, but
yeah.
Nah, I haven't shot crafts at all.
But now let's jump in. It's a little
scary.
Of that is different.
You know the brothers in the hood.
Yeah
Yeah.
Was you playing a Burger King back
then?
I know I did, you know.
Pulled tables in people's houses,
right? 7-Eleven, there wasn't much
to bet on, was there?
No, it wasn't. No, just dollars on
the table. Not that I know anything
about that.
No, no, those days are over,
but you know, we knew, yeah, we
knew, we, we know,
and I love, love the movie
Casino.
Absolutely, I could probably recite
it word for word. Ginger?
Yeah, that's my girl.
That's right.
That's my, that my girl,
but it sounds like, you know we
could see in a month from now,
you know, there could be a signature
sign.
Yeah, we hope so and hope
that, you know,
he takes merit of all the
key merits of what we bring to the
table, you now, and look at
what we're unified on and
make a fair decision.
You know, it's tough to get 100
percent of everybody in a row, okay,
and it's just a fact of life
that we all don't have equal
resources at the end of the day, so
I would just, you, know, hope
that he listens to the
tribes, you.
Open your heart and hear what they
have to say and why this is
important not for the tribes but for
the state
give us a chance, sign the
line, give
us the chance to come together.
Don't sign a compact.
Do you have some meetings coming up,
or does he...
Yeah, well...
Well, we're heading tomorrow for
our next Tribal Alliance meeting.
We've held all tribe meetings and
this is our third of all 11 nations
in Wisconsin as we continue
to push this legislation forward and
support the model compact process.
So we've got another meeting up in
the Menominee Rest tomorrow with all
11 Nations and Tribal leaders and
we're asking everybody on the board,
let's understand where you're
at and what can we do to make sure
that you're on board because we feel
the majority of the tribes are all
on board. Let's talk about that and
let's work through that because this
is a partnership
and this is a big move as
we're the first state with
multiple tribes to
attempt to put in a hub and spoke
model in order to protect
our sovereignty and protect our
markets. These commercials want to
break their exclusivity and just say
I don't care if you pay taxes for 35
years, I'm here at Doorstep and I
should be turning this.
In the state, the tribes don't get
any of that money.
No, no, in fact it's,
in my eyes, yeah, it's
aggressive, it is predatory, you
look to divide and conquer and to
get access to a market, no
matter what, and send your money
back to the hedge fund.
Where do we send ours to?
Hoping to relearn our language,
hoping to teach...