The greatest change to happen to Native Americans in the last 50 years is the creation of legalized gaming on Indian reservations, a revolution that has made self-reliance a reality for ... See full summary
Wrestling Alligators (2016) Online
- Original Title :
- Wrestling Alligators
- Genre :
- Movie / Documentary
- Year :
- 2016
- Directror :
- Andrew Shea
- Writer :
- Udy Epstein,Tchavdar Georgiev
- Type :
- Movie
- Time :
- 1h 27min
- Rating :
- 6.9/10
The greatest change to happen to Native Americans in the last 50 years is the creation of legalized gaming on Indian reservations, a revolution that has made self-reliance a reality for many tribes. James E. Billie, the man responsible for this revolution, born an outcast in the Florida swamps, is an alligator wrestler, warrior, poet, and leader of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. He took his people from welfare subsistence at the mercy of the federal government to being wealthy beyond their wildest imaginings. Controversial both inside and outside his tribe, James Billie has used his charm and wits to beat the white man, time and again, at his own game. Now, faced with new battles, James and his tribe once again find their way of life challenged.
| Credited cast: | |||
 | James Billie | - | Himself |
Although James Billie is portrayed as the one who started high stakes bingo, it is well documented that high stakes bingo was started by his predecessor Howard Tommie. It was Tommie who partnered with Jack Cooper to introduce Gaming as a way to increase revenue for the Tribe. Chief Tommie's quest to bring gaming to the reservation began in 1977 long before James Billie was elected.