It’s been more than a month since the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin ended its decades-old prohibition of alcohol sales at its two largest gambling locations, but the impact remains to be seen.
It’s too early to tell what impact the change will have on business, but customers have responded favorably, said Oneida Gaming General Manager Neil Cornelius.
“We see it as a business enhancer,” he said. “It hasn’t been that long, but it’s clear that it is a desirable amenity that our guests want.”
The tribe’s Las Vegas-style casino in Ashwaubenon served up its first alcoholic drinks on New Year’s Eve, and its Mason Street Casino in west Green Bay started earlier in December, he said.
Before that, Oneidas hadn’t allowed alcohol on the premises of any gambling operation since it started offering for-profit bingo in 1976, Cornelius said.
“The tribe had made that decision some time ago,” Cornelius said. “This is me editorializing, but they made that decision because of the problems that are inherent with abuse of alcohol. Today we spend much time, energy and effort on preventive activities as well as treatment things, so it’s no longer the sociologically negative impact that it was.
“I no longer see it as a situation where we should inhibit our operations any further than we have.”
The Oneidas changed their gaming ordinance last year, Cornelius said.
Cornelius knew of no other Indian casino in Wisconsin that banned the serving of alcohol.
State-tribe gaming compacts spell out the terms to run Indian casinos in Wisconsin but always have allowed for the sale of alcohol, said Mike McClure, an attorney with the state Division of Gaming.
They must observe state law regarding hours of operation, and casinos can’t sell the beverages for off-premises consumption, McClure said.
The Oneidas do not sell alcohol at the Irene Moore Activity Center, which houses gaming machines, a bingo hall and an off-track betting room, nor does it allow open containers in the gaming areas of its smaller casino outlets, Cornelius said.
The Radisson Hotel & Conference Center sells alcoholic beverages in a bar and lounge area and on the gaming floor of the adjacent main casino.
A liquor license was obtained from Green Bay to sell alcohol at a lounge area at the Mason Street location, he said.
Another impact still unknown: the effect on problem gamblers.
Rose Gruber, executive director of the Allouez-based Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling, said a concern is that when you have one addiction you’re at higher risk to develop another.
“We certainly see a correlation with compulsive gambling,” she said. “We hear from a lot of people on the (hot line) who have alcohol problems and are now becoming or have become addicted to gambling.”