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Wisconsin Tribe Gambles On, Wins With Casino10 December 2001ONEIDA — The Oneida Tribe of Indians is long removed from the days when its administration consisted of four people and its budget a mere $280. "…Today, the tribe employs more than 3,100 and operates on a budget of $137.5 million. "Tribe members can thank the emergence of gaming on their reservation for the change. "This year marks the 25th anniversary of for-profit bingo on the Oneida reservation, the tribe's first commercial gaming operation. And it's the 10th anniversary of the tribe's first gaming compact with the state, legalizing Class III gaming — including slot machines and blackjack. "The Oneidas' success in gaming skyrocketed with the opening of their 125,000-square-foot, $30 million casino on Dec. 15, 1993, connecting the building with an existing casino and Radisson Inn-Green Bay, which also expanded. "…The casino's blackjack tables and hundreds of one-armed bandits lure millions of visitors a year. The tribe has counted more than 6.35 million visits to its gaming locations this year alone. "…The tribe's gaming operation — including the main casino and bingo, along with gaming outlets — netted $67.5 million in revenue 11 months into its fiscal year. That year ended Sept. 30, and the Oneidas are still trying to adopt a budget for next year. "…The Oneidas believed Class III gaming would benefit the reservation, but they never realized just how much until they had a consultant do a market study as the compact was negotiated, [former tribal chairwoman, Deborah] Skenandore said…" |