Another tribe known to embrace new technology is Minnesota ’ s Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe . Robert Sawyer has worked with the tribe ’ s casino operations , Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley , for some 25 years . Late in 2021 , when he was vice president of gaming at Grand Casino Mille Lacs , Sawyer was tapped as chief operating officer of a new Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures division called SlotCo .
SlotCo acquires slot machines for casinos from major suppliers , but also helps the Mille Lacs and other tribes get the most of all new technology arriving on the floor — including a source of capital for new technology purchases and property improvements . SlotCo also brings state-of-the-art analytics and data networking to help customers better understand patron behavior .
“ What can we do to help , maybe bring some of that new innovation and that new technology to those more rural tribes ? We came up with a model that helps do that while delivering measurable revenue growth .”
— Robert Sawyer , Chief Operating Officer , SlotCo
“ SlotCo had been a development idea that came from the notion that there are early adopters of technology in the tribal world , and there are some that are maybe a little more challenged ,” Sawyer explains . “ Our CEO ( Joe Nayquonabe ) and a few others of us felt that was bad for the industry — there would be young people that would go in for their first casino experience , where they may not see brand new slot machines . They ’ re seeing equipment that ’ s 20 , 30 years old on floors , and how do we change that ? How do we help ?
“ What can we do to help , maybe bring some of that new innovation and that new technology to those more rural tribes ? We came up with a model that helps do that while delivering measurable revenue growth .”
“ The tribes have always been quick to move into new technology , and adopt early ,” says Rolling Hills ’ Neely . “ On the commercial side , they ’ re needing to make sure that the shareholders are seeing immediate share value , immediate gains in value . And on the tribal side , the shareholders are the tribal members , and they ’ re looking at generations forward . So how are we making sure that the investments we are making today are going to prepare and set up the organization for the long term , not just for the immediate return ?” In the end , the early appearance of groundbreaking technology in Indian Country may come down to the structure of tribal gaming organizations . “ For decision-making , there ’ s no giant corporate board worrying about stockholders ’ profits ,” comments Frank . “ And that makes a difference . Moreover , one thing you would think would slow them down but doesn ’ t is that most tribes have a long-term view . They ’ re not worried about this quarter ’ s report . They ’ re worried almost about generational wealth , generational profit . It gives them the feeling that they can try stuff and move ahead . Think agile .” “ Tribal country has seen a lot of growth , and that growth is driving diversification in all the locations ,” says QCI ’ s Cardno . “ I feel privileged and honored , and proud of how we ’ re able to work with tribal nations . It ’ s been one of my great pleasures to learn about tribal nations , and to help with economic growth and be a part of that .”
38 TRIBAL GOVERNMENT GAMING 2023