So, Why Were Casinos The Answer?

I can’t help but wonder why The Mighty Spirit In The Sky decided the First People should open casinos to make up for the Trail of Tears? Is it just me or does it seem to make no sense that though the white man was wrong, I’ll give you that, why were opening casinos the answer? There must be some other business Native Americans could have gotten into, other than gambling — wouldn’t you think?

It just seems, so unseemly . . . don’t get me wrong, I love gambling as much or more than the next guy, but so do a lot of Native Americans, and now if I’m not mistaken, the casinos may be putting it to their own people. Have you ever looked around a casino, really looked? I have, I live right by a few on Reservation land. I have the time and inclination to observe people, it’s what I do. There are an inordinate number of Native Americans gambling with a lot of money. There is also a distinct air of desperation about a lot of people at casinos, it’s not like they show on commercials, everybody dressed all glamorously, all having a great time, winning, winning, wining. Many people are there to win — they sadly believe they can really beat the house, but what happens is a different story entirely.

Okay, on that matter perhaps they believe in unicorns, too. Now, I win once in a while. As a matter of fact, my husband and I had quite a winning streak going, but that sure turned ugly lately. I guess lady luck decided we’d had enough of that or those are the real odds of the house. So as I was saying, I have spoken to a few gamblers lately, deciding I’d write this blog. I met a few people and spoke to them surreptitiously about their betting habits and their luck and they told me they go to the casino with the direct intention of winning. I go with the intention of having fun, expecting to lose the money I brought, being able to afford it, hoping I might win a little that day. Some people really believe they can and will win every time and take money they really should not and can not afford to lose.

I am not trying to be holier than thou, I’m just saying I do not think the illusion I have of the gentle people of the plains, the wonderful Indians I envision from lore would want to be fleecing people of their money. I find it quite a dichotomy.  I wonder if people take in to account all the money they have lost when they take in to account what they’ve won? As I observed these people (for this blog)  who were big winners some days they proceeded to put it all back in. So even when I have observed winners, they almost never take it home with them. That’s what the house is banking on, that you will be so happy you win, that you will keep playing and put it all back in, thus you don’t win, they do time and time again.

So, I’m just musing here . . . I’ve always wondered how reparation to original Native Americans turned into casinos on reservation land, does anyone out there in the great blogoshere know?  I find it ironic that as their own people are helping rape them again, there is no discrimination, we’re all taking a fleecing, why at the same time it is thought to be a good idea to correct the original problem, but hey, what the hell do I know? Couldn’t the land be put to better use? Just sayin’….

(c) Written by Evelyn Garone 9/11/12