Native Indian Gaming Business Seeks Korean Security Tech
By Jane Han
Staff Reporter
A visiting gaming business executive from the U.S. says the Korea-U.S. free trade deal will trigger brisk trade between local IT firms and the flourishing Native American casino industry.
``The gaming business is big for Native Americans and it serves as a significant income source for them, but although the market is growing, it lacks various technological applications,'' said Dean Mcclain, vice president of development of Native Gaming Solutions. ``Korean security and surveillance systems are greatly equipped with a technological edge, along with many new ideas.''
Mcclain recently visited Seoul to attend the ``KORUS Business Day'' conference hosted by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), where he met with local small- and mid-size businesses that can channel the services needed by the Oklahoma-based gaming company.
Native American gaming, which includes gambling businesses operated on Indian reservations or tribal land, has been rapidly booming with approximately 400 casino establishments run by Native Indians throughout the U.S.
As reservations are recognized as sovereign political entities, the gaming facilities operate free from state regulations, which was one of the reasons that the industry has grown so big.
``The money made from casinos is used to build schools, hospitals, provide education and other services,'' said Mcclain. ``Simply making money from the business is not the end.''
The Oklahoma native, who has worked in the casino business for more than two decades, said being involved in Native American gaming and helping them grow in a healthy way is a rewarding gift for him.
``After such a long walk, I thought I was finishing up my career years ago,'' said the veteran of the casino industry. ``But instead I started a new career of working with Indians in my home state.''
He said about 39 tribes exist in Oklahoma and there may tribe-operated casinos that not only run the gambling facilities, but also manage resorts and hotels.
``A lot of these establishments need advanced security, surveillance and other IT related services,'' said Mcclain. ``I wouldn't be here if it weren't for the KORUS FTA _ I hope that our businesses and Korean firms can interact to benefit both.''
He added that because the U.S. government gives significant preference to Indian gaming businesses, the Korean firms trading with them will also reap benefits.