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?
Dominick Ortiz, D-O-M-I-N-I-C-O-R-T-I-Z-C-E-O, Potawatomi casinos and hotels.
And also for our records, can I have you identify your tribal affiliation?
Enrolled member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation of Kansas.
And now Potawatomi Casino here in Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
Yeah.
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 Justice Sportsbook, but when it's 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 at the, physically at the casino location in order to place a place of bed.
And that brings us to the heart of why we're here today.
A.B. Bill 601.
Last week I watched for about five or six hours for them to get down there.
It 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 bedding here in Milwaukee in Wisconsin overall?
Yeah, well I see this is a big win for all the tribes and the state of Wisconsin.
And the reason that it's so critical in timing, we wish we had a longer timeframe to get involved or to put together solutions.
But the fact of the matter is a multitude of companies have already opened up sports bedding across the state of Wisconsin
from the legal operators to offshore to predictions to sweepstakes 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 and 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've got an opportunity now.
Hub and spoke model has been confirmed by the courts and the hub and spoke means that server 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 bed.
Do you think Governor Evers will sign it?
Isn't that the question of the day?
So we hope that he will and hope that he will sit down and listen to all the tribes and understand how critically important
it is 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 these industries continue to come out of state and continue to take these benefits out with us.
We don't even have the ability to compete and bring that back.
I know for us here at Pottawatomie this is a big thing for us and that future includes more investments
and Milwaukee is why we continue to pursue that.
The governor has said he's not 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 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 and debits 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 or 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.
Given the tribes an opportunity to generate more tax revenue, more shared revenue amongst the nations
and build jobs, we have over 10,000 jobs in 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 betting?
That's a question because some of them may open their phone, I got it right here.
That's what we're saying and the big message out there is that individuals are comfortable with our brand.
When we opened up retail, I mean it was nothing but all 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 want to keep our money in our bets in the state of Wisconsin and we want to bet with somebody that knows that has a high integrity.
In 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, I'm 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, almost sports betting.
The hub and spoke model, so how would that really work?
So the hub and spoke model confirmed in the courts the way it works is that right now we're in a casino on tribal trust land.
It's the same concept. We put the servers on tribal trust land.
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 trust land and that bet take 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?
Does 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 and responsible gaming controls and download it 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 in the state.
I know that big belief 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 the leg up and sending money out of the state if we don't allow us to get in front of this and bring this market to fruition.
Now 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 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, not aggressive predatory that we've seen from these out guys without multitude of violations and jurisdictions.
We'd 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.
We 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 here at the table and let's let Wisconsin bet.
And it would keep money in the state and within the tribes.
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.
Like 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've provided opportunities and clearly laid out the line.
You know, if you're willing to abide by the Indian Gaming and Regulatory Act, then you're allowed into our competitive environment in the 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 see the majority of these and want the less what Wisconsin bet.
If he signs that on the other side of that, we will work through this compact process and the 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 an opportunity.
So for us, it's critical that, you know, that we let Wisconsin bet.
And people will think, you know, 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, you know, run a full tribal government that provides critical services to our elderly, to our language revitalization,
to emergency services, to roads and infrastructure in and around our local community.
So, you know, 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.
And 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 this?
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 that the amount that's being considered for jackpot has been risen from 1200 to 2000.
How does that higher threshold for what's considered a jackpot affect guest here?
Well, it actually provides a better gaming experience.
I don't have to stop every time a machine hits 1200.
I mean, we pay out millions in jackpots on a daily basis, so you can imagine how many times a 1200 mark hits hit.
So now you can stay in play and in action and we don't have 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, gamers can see right 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 changed.
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 for the tribes in the state.
And for the lawmakers who were concerned and made some comments about follow the money and question, is this starting 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 believing 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 early guys have now 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 host 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 Sandman Well Nation.
I also have a representative from the Stockbridge Muncie Nation.
We'll 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.
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 extra decision 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 compact process.
Would that be different per casino or is it would 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.
You guys are just conversing.
Okay.
Just stick to the top.
All right.
Yeah.
Yeah.
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.
Now if you shot shot crafts at all.
When I was younger.
It's a little scary.
You know, they're different.
You know, the brothers in the hood.
Yeah.
Would you play in a Burger King bathroom?
I don't know how I did.
Yeah.
You know, pool tables and people's houses, right?
Yeah.
Seven and eleven.
There wasn't much you bet on, was it?
No.
Two 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 knew.
We knew.
And I love, love the movie Casino.
Okay.
Absolutely loved.
Probably the sight of word for a ginger.
Yeah.
That's right.
That's right.
That's my girl.
That's 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.
You know, he takes merit of all the key merits of what we bring to the table.
You know, and look at what we're unified on and make a fair decision.
You know, it's tough to get 100% 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 know, he's opened your heart and hear what they have to say and why this is important
and not for the tribes, but for the state.
Give us a chance.
Give us a chance.
Sign the line.
Give us a chance to come together.
If we don't, then don't sign a compact.
Do you have some meetings coming up or to see a child?
Yeah.
Well, we, we're heading tomorrow for our next tribal alliance meeting.
We've held all tribe meetings.
And this is our third, 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.
Okay.
And 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 on board.
So let's talk about that.
Let's, let's work through that because this is a, this is a partnership and this is a
big move as we're the first state with multiple tribes to attempt to put in the hub and spoke
model.
We've got to protect our sovereignty and protect our markets.
These commercials want to break their exclusivity and just say, I don't care if you're paying
taxes for 35 years.
I'm here.
I should be determined to.
And the state, the tribes don't get any of that.
No.
No.
No.
In fact, it's a, am I?
Yeah.
It's a, it's aggressive.
It's 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?
Helping to learn, relearn our language.
Helping to teach.