10
August 15, 1997
SMOKE SIGNALS
mmm
Jesse Knight loves new challenges
Two years ago Jesse
Knight had a good
job, making good
money. He was
happy with his life,
and never thought it
could get better.
Then he heard about
the Tribe's plans to
build a casino. He
called the Human
Resource office after
the Job Fair in July
of 1995, and was en
couraged to apply.
He went to the
Dealer's School and
has been working at
the Casino ever
since. "I think I enjoy my job because I like the customers.
dealing cards, and I try to have a good time," he said.
Jesse has been a blackjack dealer for the better part of two years, and
has most recently tried dealing craps. "I've been ready to learn and try
new things for a while now," he said. "I'm very happy with the changes
that are going on and the new games. I just want to learn all I can."
Jesse sees the new job opportunities at the Casino to be a challenge
and wants to rise up to each one. He said, "I can remember my first day
dealing blackjack. I was really nervous. I'll never forget dealing at my
first table."
One thing about being a dealer is that you get to converse with Casino
guests. Jesse realized there are many inexperienced players who are
just as nervous as he was his first day. And he helps them with ques
tions they might have. Then there are those guests who know him and
the game well.
"There are some customers who think I'm good luck for them, and
they keep coming to my table. That's always nice," said Jesse.
Besides having fun at his job, Jesse said he really appreciates all the
Casino's employee benefits like personal time off, 401k, and trainings
to learn the new games. But most of all, Jesse likes the people. So next
time you're at Spirit Mountain Casino, stop by the craps table and visit
with Jesse. You can give the dice a toss while you're there!
A winning hand for all
Mtf. i 5
I like
Indian gaming faces many unique challenges, aris
ing from both internal and external factors. We are
all too aware of the current external criticism facing
Indian gaming. Uninformed individuals fail to fully
comprehend that Indian gaming provides many new
opportunities to tribal members including increased
funding for educational and social programs.
Internal challengers also abound. Opening a new
casino is no small task. Obtaining the initial financ
ing and gaming devices, constructing a facility and
hiring employees are only a few of the concerns, all
the while trying to comply with the many laws and
regulations in place. Amidst the hustle and bustle, a
few details are bound to be overlooked. Unfortu
nately, it is usually not until opening day that these
surface and the real challenge begins.
The gaming industry is a cash industry with cash
passing through numerous hands on an hourly basis.
How do you keep these hands clean? If properly
implemented, the one tool to assist in alleviating prob
lems associated with casinos is an effective internal
control system. This tool can save the casino mil
lions of dollars annually. Without a strong system
of internal controls, it becomes very difficult to regu
late and monitor the casino, subjecting the tribe to
inherent losses with money literally walking out the
front door.
Internal controls provide an important framework
for casino operations. Would you ever build a house
without a blueprint? Of course not. The objective
of establishing an internal control system is to pro
tect tribal assets, as well as the integrity of the tribe.
Internal controls should be written and established
in enough detail to provide the casino a well estab
lished framework. Effective internal controls pro
vide a tool to manage the casino by establishing a
basis and train, monitor, evaluate and hold account
able the casino's management and employees. A
documented system that merely address minimal in
ternal standards often leads to inconsistencies and
confusion, hence, more problems and exposure for
the casino.
The ability to run a successful casino often involves
an extensive learning curve and should be viewed as
an ongoing process. The process begins with tribal
leadership taking the responsibility for setting expec
tations for its casino and the standards to which they
will hold management and its employees. In addi
tion to this critical step, tribal leadership needs to
clearly communicate to management and employees
the importance of the casino's control environment.
This is best accomplishment through consistent ver
bal messages, tribal ordinances, and demonstrating
leadership commitment through its actions. Opposi
tion to Indian gaming will no doubt continue. How
ever, a secure future rests in the ability of tribal gam
ing operations to demonstrate they are capable of self
regulation. Reprinted from Indian Gaming, June 1997.
A note from the Director of the
Gaming Commission
By Joe Smith
Spirit Mountain Casino has not been immune
from the issues discussed in this article. However,
tribal officials have mitigated many of the prob
lems of a start-up gaming operation by bringing in
experienced gaming operators and regulators to
safeguard the interest of the shareholders (tribal
members). Unlike many Native American gaming
ventures that have struggled to develop regulatory
controls after operations began, this casino had a
full set of gaming regulations in place the day the
doors opened. Fortunately, by hiring well seasoned
professionals, Spirit Mountain's management was
well aware of the need for strict accountability to
internal controls and have formulated extensive
training programs which are routinely repeated to
safeguard against complacency. Another aspect of
this casino's operation has been management's
awareness that they have a vested interest in the
Gaming Commission's performance of its licenc
ing and monitoring functions. Management's intu
itiveness has resulted in national recognition as be
ing one of the few tribes in full compliance with
National Indian Gaming Commission regulations.
V t E ft -v"- ' ' - ij
S' - o"f - .,....
. ' A 11 I 1 I" 1 I . .. . v
'., " f i I f. 4 I -- . If i i 4 Vt' 4
! . . y " i '! 4 " l-" - y
2 g , . $ -m If at- 9
- - T A." i s -r' st f
:tzijW5iiisiuf,T$5 : :iiWiiWrrrii- it it ;: tirm Ww.