No state inspection of MN's Indian casino slots

[Minn. Fatz]

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports today that there have been no state inspections of Indian casino slot machine or blackjack operations since at least 2008. This may change with a state review of a tribal audit sometime in the future. The casino association claims state inspection would be on top of their own inspections, along with those from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and National Indian Gaming Commission, and that their machines are fair. But neighboring states including Wisconsin and South Dakota are more vigorous about inspecting Indian casino operations.IMHO the casinos would be slitting their own throats by trying to manipulate their machines. From the summary statistics I've seen it's hard to imagine they're trying to make more than they should be making off those. Also, the machine manufacturers have an interest in seeing their games are run fairly wherever they are run. I wouldn't rule out incompetence leading to some machine somewhere not being according to Hoyle; but I wouldn't change my playing habits based on this one story.To draw your own conclusions see the full story at http://www.startribune.com/local/137826938.html.

[edog743]

Fatz, I have a Question. What is the pupose of this thread. To call out the state for not doing their job? Or the NATIVE AMERICAN tribes for not calling the state to inspect them. In the article it states that the B.I.A. inspects, also the N.I.G.C. What more do you want?

[brmcc74]

Where Im located the Native American casinos are regulated by a different gaming commision than that of a non Native American casino. The non Native American casino would be faced with more generalized and stricter reporting practices. Most avid gamblers understand this and Yes it is important information to know.

[shadowman]

In general the MN casinos have little reason to manipulate the machines. The state already set the maximum payback percentages to 98% for VP and 95% for standard slots (except for a few grandfathered machines).
 
Also, MN casinos have some of the better blackjack rules around. They could make those rules tighter without breaking any rules. Yet, they don't. The state also takes almost nothing out of the profits as it is.
 
The MN NA casinos have a great deal and they know it. Hardly seems likely they would do anything that might prompt changes to the current situation.

[rascal]

Indian tribes are sovereign from state regulations unless the compact allowing Indian gambling in the particular state concedes to the state the authority to regulate. Perhaps the Minnesota compact concedes state authority to inspect but, if so, it would be rare; most Indian casinos are inspected and regulated only by the National Indian Gaming Commission. My own opinion, formed by many years of video poker play, is that state-regulated casinos in those states that closely follow the Nevada standard of regulation are the only truly fair places to play.

[shadowman]

The compact does concede the right to inspection and has regulations very similar to Nevada (probably copied).

[edog743]

The B.I.A mandated when they allowed gaming on reservations that each and every tribe sign a gaming compact with  the state they were in. You are looking for problems that do not exist.

[Minn. Fatz]

edog, not trying to call out any individual or group, just passing on some information of interest from one of the state's major dailies. The main point for me is that the state, having the right -- and the duty -- to inspect, doesn't.I have no idea what the BIA or NIGC get up to in Minnesota or anywhere else by way of inspections. If it were up to me I'd either run more inspections/audits of my own or publicize the ones already done. To my mind that'd be good for everyone: the tribes, the players and the inspectors too.

[Minn. Fatz]

The Prairie Island council president responded today to stories about Minnesota state inspection of tribal casinos: see http://www.startribune.com/opinion/othe ... 34599.html. He pointed to the tribes' own inspections, third party and NIGC audits. Be that as it may, the issue isn't what other inspectors/enforcers may be doing, but what the state isn't doing.

[WisT]

     In my opinion, some Indian casinos could improve their regulations.  They have been caught cheating at bingo in Wisconsin.  I personally found their blackjack decks short.  They said "the cards must have fallen out" when we checked for aces.... I have also been shortchanged at the cashier and at handpays.  Indian casinos seem to withdraw progressive jackpots quietly when they get large...  They resist state fire codes and they adhere to their own standards.  Want to see a 7/5 jacks or better game?  Go to an Indian casino....