EDUCATION
Onward And Upward
Extending the work of the Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming beyond geography and gaming
By Katherine Spilde
As part of their deep commitment to education , the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation was an early and generous investor in advanced education and research in tribal gaming .
Nearly 20 years ago , the tribe endowed the Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming ( SITG ) at San Diego State University ( SDSU ) with three clear mandates : 1 ) to develop and offer the nation ’ s first four-year degree program in tribal casino operations management ( a B . S . in hospitality and tourism management ); 2 ) to produce and direct academic research on tribal government gaming ; and , 3 ) to inform and elevate the public policy debate around tribal government gaming and nation building .
With the support of our gaming industry partners , the Sycuan Institute is demonstrating a shared commitment to the long-term goal of developing a professional class of tribal government gaming experts who enhance and lead the industry globally .
Expanding Off-Campus To extend these mandates beyond the SDSU campus , the SITG offers fully online classes in tribal gaming for both its degree and Professional Certificate . The certificate program consists of 12 units across five courses and can be completed in nine months through three pathways : 1 ) the traditional B . S . in hospitality and tourism management on campus ; 2 ) a standalone certificate through SDSU ’ s Global Campus ; or , 3 ) through the American Indian Studies ( AIS ) degree completion program fully online . The institute ’ s partnership with Red Lake Nation College ( RLNC ) is a pilot project demonstrating that our program can be exported across Indian Country .
Expanding the Research Agenda The Covid-19 pandemic supported the Sycuan Institute ’ s early move to distance education . The shutdown of the $ 40 billion tribal gaming industry also revealed new research topics . Over the last several years , the video gaming and esports ecosystem has seen large shifts in communications , technology , and access .
Tribal youth maintained critical connections through playing games and tournaments online through the pandemic . Despite enduring barriers to participate and consume in rural areas , video gaming is becoming a significant aspect of tribal youth culture and worthy of academic research . The Sycuan Institute invested in the first-ever survey of tribal youth video game / esports participation by connecting SDSU Professor Brandon Mastromartino with Project Quipu ( PQ ) and the American Indian Science and Engineering Society ( AISES ).
This ongoing project aims to better understand the interests , habits and intentions surrounding video gaming and esports among tribal youth , with the results informing advances in career development , synergies with the casino gaming industry , and opportunities for community building and infrastructure expansion in Indian Country .
This project also seeks to empower educators and communities to foster the next generation of industry leaders . As we educate and mentor a generation of future leaders in the tribal government gaming industry , the Sycuan Institute continues to further our research and educational mission and enhance our community and industry partnerships .
Extending the Work Building on the new direction in esports and video gaming , as well as Professor Mastromartino ’ s expertise in sports management , the Sycuan Institute is establishing itself as the leader in education and research on sports wagering in California . The public policy debate surrounding legalization and regulation of sports wagering in California presents a pivotal moment for stakeholders and the public at large , heralding significant economic , social and ethical implications .
For a state with a rich sporting culture and a large , diverse population , potential legalization of sports betting in California requires robust research and debate . The Sycuan Institute is strategically positioned to pioneer sports wagering education and research and is poised to support a proposed Institute for Sport Experiences at SDSU in the near future . Such an institute would prepare students for careers in the sports industry through experiential learning and industry networking while also pursuing a robust research agenda and providing executive education .
Recognizing that Indian Country is an ever-changing landscape , aligning with Professor Mastromartino ’ s work on sports consumer behavior to create a new sports program at SDSU ensures that that Sycuan Institute ’ s work remains relevant and impactful .
Focused on topics such as consumer insights , the economic impact of sports betting on communities , and responsible gaming practices , future SDSU projects will contribute to the body of knowledge in the field and inform best practices for the growing sports betting industry . Ultimately , the Sycuan Institute will partner with industry and academic leaders and the new Institute for Sport Experiences to develop relevant curriculum and executive training in areas such as sportsbook operations , responsible sports wagering marketing , and cultural issues surrounding sports betting .
As we explore new frontiers of research , including the pivotal questions surrounding sports betting , the Sycuan Institute looks to industry and academic leaders for partnerships to drive innovation in education and research .
— San Diego State University Professor / Endowed Chair Katherine Spilde can be reached at kspilde @ sdsu . edu , and SDSU Assistant Professor Brandon Mastromartino at bmastromartino @ sdsu . edu .
8 TRIBAL GOVERNMENT GAMING 2024