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Idaho Tribe's Casino Venture Paying Off

WORLEY, Idaho – As reported by the Associated Press: "At a remote crossroads east of Spokane, Wash., the Coeur d'Alene Tribe of Indians has taken control of its economic destiny.

"The tribe's decade-old casino is thriving and growing. It has virtually eliminated unemployment on the reservation and provides an annual payment to each of the 1,900 tribal members.

"…`It helps when you live in one of the most beautiful places in the world,' said David Matheson, chief executive of the tribe's gaming operations.

"Indeed, while many Indian tribes were shunted to remote, hardscrabble reservations after signing treaties, the Coeur d'Alenes got 345,000 acres in the forested mountains and lush valleys of northern Idaho. They also own the lower one-third of scenic Lake Coeur d'Alene and are close to the cities of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and Spokane.

"…The bulk of the tribe's gambling profits go to government, education and social programs, Matheson said. Some of the money is used to buy land to expand the reservation.

"Each tribal member gets $2,400 a year from casino profit, with half coming in time for Christmas shopping and half in time for back-to-school purchases, Matheson said.

"…A 2002 study by two University of Idaho researchers found Idaho's five Indian casinos provided 2,196 jobs and $138 million in sales.

"…With no pressure to produce a big profit, Matheson said the casino has no minimum-wage jobs. The average pay is more than $8 per hour, excluding tips, and the jobs include medical and dental coverage, plus a retirement plan…"

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