The National Indian Gaming Association kicked off its annual trade show and convention in San Diego, California. Tribal leaders say the $26 billion Indian gaming industry has been affected by the national recession. “It’s been tough. It hurt a lot of people,” Danny Tucker, the chairman of the Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Indians, told The San Diego Union-Tribune. Mark Macarro, the chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, expressed similar sentiments. "We’ve learned how deeply we’re tied with the local economy,” he told the paper. Both tribes laid off gaming employees for the first time in their history. But Tucker and Macarro said they are seeing signs of a turnaround. Get the Story:
Tribal casinos eye economy, Internet (The San Diego Union-Tribune 4/8) Earlier Story:
NIGA expects thousands for annual conference in California (4/6)