NOVEMBER 17, 2006
jUStjOUt 41
High Roller
Lesbian manages poker room at Spirit Mountain Casino
by Cristy Barsky
ee Dee LeBaron works as the poker
problem and to get help—from friends or profes
room manager at Spirit Mountain sionals. The industry also must, and Spirit
Casino in Grand Ronde, which is about i Mountain does, make certain that people are aware
80 miles southwest of Portland. A for- ; of resources for those with gambling problems.
mer welfare mom, she manages a staff of
73 people, a mixture of part- and full-time staff.
CB: Do you think the majority of people who
game or gamble are problem gamblers?
Cristy Barsky: Could you talk a little about
DL: 1 think that there is always a risk when
how you became employed at Spirit Mountain'
you are talking about money. The search for rich
Dee Dee LeBaron: 1 didn’t plan on working at
es will always bring out those that are desperate
a casino, but I was a single mother and they were
and will do anything to find it.
hiring. I had just moved here from California, and
However, 1 think the majority of people are
1 needed a job. When 1 started at the casino I had
responsible gamers. In terms of poker, it is a compe
no real education or experience, and in fact I was
tition, it is a networking place, and it is entertain-
receiving welfare to keep my
head above water. I worked
briefly as a cashier and then
moved into the poker room.
1 was determined to become a
dealer and taught myself how to
deal. I found that I was good at
it, and I think 1 loved the atten
tion 1 got for that. After dealing
about two years, 1 graduated to a
supervisor, then shift supervisor,
then assistant manager, then
manager.
CB: How would you char
acterize the average age of your
customers? Do you see, for
instance, a lot of retirees?
DL: We used to and we still
do, but with poker coming to
TV and the Internet, we have
just been bombarded with
younger people and women.
CB: Could you talk a little
about the Grand Ronde
Federation itself?
DL: The formal name is the
Confederated Tribes of Grand
Ronde, which include the
Dee Dee LeBaron says Spirit Mountain Casino has been
Umpqua, Molalla, Rogue River,
bombarded with younger people and women who are catching
the wave of poker popularity.
Kalapuya and Chasta peoples.
1 have seen the local community
grow from a very poor community to one that
ment. It can also be a place to not be alone, which
provides housing for their elders and poor; they can be a positive or a negative thing, depending on
support all of the local schools, which my children
the person.
benefited from, and 1 am not tribal. They have
created support for the total health of their people,
CB: When did you come out, and how has
including taking a very good, hard look at the issues
that been at Spirit Mountain?
that some people may not want to face, including
DL: I came out about eight years ago. When
poverty, drugs and alcohol. They also fund many
I first came out I was worried. I was very motivat
programs and social action activities in the wider ed to “climb the ladder.” I had one boss that told
community.
me I would never be anything because I was gay.
I reported it to one of the tribal members who said:
CB: In my opinion, the Indian gaming indus “That is ridiculous. I have a gay sister.” For what
try has provided a road out of the unbelievable ever reason, this guy was gone within a couple of
poverty imposed on Native peoples. At the same
weeks. Once I was in a committed relationship,
I began to bring my partner to social events at the
time, I believe it is true that compulsive gambling
can cause great hardship to individuals and fami casino.... My experiences have been very positive.
lies. In listing the ills that the tribe has addressed,
you didn’t mention gambling. How do you per
CB: How much do you play poker now ?
ceive the growth of the gaming industry, and does
DL: I don't get to play much because 1 don’t
it pose risks to individuals?
have time, and as a manager I can’t play at mv own
DL: I think the important thing is that people casino. I love to play Omaha, a variation of Texas
need to understand when gambling stops being
Hold ’Em, but for the most part I only get to play if
I travel to Vegas on vacation ©
entertainment and becomes or is becoming a
6PM PATRON DINNER AMP AUCTION
$7J(INCLUDIS COKlim CAU >01-184-11» FOR TICKETS
TICKETS AVAILABLE THROUGH SAFEWAY TICKETSWEST
________________
—D av i d W. O wen s
P. C. & ASSOCIATES
serving the community since 1975
A ttorneys at L aw
Serving Oregon & Washington
503 224 3100
DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS
ADOPTIONS • ESTATE PLANNING
WILLS • TRUSTS • ADVANCE DIRECTIVES
POWER OF ATTORNEY
GUARDIANSHIPS AND CONSERVATORSHIPS
www owens law com • 101 SW MAIN, SUITE 700 • Portland, Oregon 97204 • Parting Validated
BB