A two-day seminar in Mexico City to promote gambling in Mexico drew over 400 people and a huge media contingent -- despite the fact that Mexico has outlawed gambling since the 1930s. That may change as Mexico's tourist industry looks for ways to attract tourists and American Indian casino operators tout gambling as economic salvation for Mexico's 8 million Indians. PNS associate editor Sam Quinones, a freelance writer based in Mexico City, reports for Mexican and U.S. publications, including Mexico Business.

MEXICO CITY -- Of all the people attending the "Mexico Gaming Summit" here last week, William Means looked the most out of place -- though not for lack of enthusiasm. Casinos have changed the face of many U.S. Indian reservations and Means -- an American Indian who helps run casinos in South Dakota and Kansas for the Indian-owned Calumet Gaming Corp. -- was here to spread the word that a similar salvation was in store for Mexico's eight million Indians.

"Gambling can be a weapon for peace," Means said, a long braid winding over his shoulder and down his lapel. "We're looking at it as a motor for peace and justice in Mexico. Part of the whole idea of gaming is to raise the image of the Indian, that we're players in today's society."

Means was not the only participant giddy with optimism. The most remarkable fact about this two-day seminar, sponsored by Mexico Business magazine and International Gaming and Wagering Business magazine, is that it drew more than 400 people -- mostly Americans -- plus a sizable media contingent in a country where gambling isn't even legal.

Mexico has visited the idea of legalizing gambling several times in the last 30 years, never deciding to do the deed. Recently the issue has resurfaced -- the tourism commission in Mexico's Chamber of Deputies is studying it and the full Congress will discuss it this fall. If, as expected, gambling is legalized, resorts like Acapulco, Cancun, and Puerta Vallarta, and border towns like Nuevo Laredo, Ciudad Juarez and Tijuana, would be first in line for casinos.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Church has come out against it. Many people are afraid that the casinos would quickly become laundering centers for drug cartels. Others fear that casinos will bring American decadence into the heart of Mexico. Gambling was prohibited in 1935 due to concerns that casinos were allowing American gangsters a foothold in Mexico. Proponents believe a well-worded law would keep all that from happening and strengthen the tourism industry. Opponents argue that Mexico has many laws on the books that aren't enforced.

The U.S. gambling industry, as the seminar made clear, is already jostling for position at the border. Twenty-three companies had booths at the seminar, some bringing down whole slot machines and video surveillance systems. Vladimir Primaky was here, representing Gasser Chair Company of Youngstown, Ohio -- "the Cadillac of chairs" for casinos, restaurants and hotels worldwide. So too was Jeff Lewis from Florida-based Bingo King, promoting bingo as a sort of "gambling lite." Bingo has taken off in Central and South America but is all but unknown in Mexico.

Gambling has to come or Mexico will fall behind in the international competition for the tourist, Lewis advises. "There may come a time when people go to Alberta, Canada in winter instead of Cancun."

What the seminar also made clear is how far gambling has moved beyond the Mafia-controlled enterprise portrayed in so many movies. Gone were the cigar chomping godfather figures in suits of unfortunate color ensembles. In their stead were dapper men with MBAs from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the hotel-restaurant management school at Cornell University, convinced they are designing the leisure world of tomorrow -- kids taking interactive roller coaster rides across the New York skyline while Dad does the blackjack tables.

At times the meeting had a religious feel. People spoke of "duplicating the Las Vegas miracle" and "bringing the world together." "We're all North American," said John O'Reilly, of the O'Reilly Gaming Group in Las Vegas. "We're partners in opportunities that will become part of our entire North American region."

They also brought with them a jargon designed to rid the industry of any nefarious connotations. Gambling is now "gaming," a "show" and a "hotel swimming pool" are now an "entertainment opportunity" and a "product feature." Discussions ranged from "the importance of throughput" to the "concept of fusion-based entertainment."

"Those Nevada boys aren't talking peace and justice," noted William Means. "They're talking profits." Or, technically speaking, "substantial new profit centers."

But for Means the "one world" idea hit the mark. His company has a promise from the company which runs the world's largest casino -- a $1 billion-a-year Indian operation in Connecticut -- to invest in a Mexican Indian casino should it become legal.

"Mexico has a great love for dead Indians," Means commented. "We want it to have a love for live ones."