Gambling, more commonly known as gaming, has long been believed by Native Americans to be a right of Indian Nations. In 1987, the United States Supreme Court recognized Indian people’s right to run casinos and to operate gaming industries when the court ruled that states could not directly regulate gaming on Indian land. This was made so under the assumption that such gaming is permitted as well outside the reservation for any other purpose.

A History of Tradition

In California, for example, several tribes have signed compacts between their tribal governments and the state of California. These compacts include provisions such as revenue sharing for non-gaming tribes, so all Indian tribes benefit from the agreements. Gaming on Indian reservations is operated by tribes to fund tribal government programs and to ensure the welfare of tribal members. The tribal governments in general decide how to best spend the revenues, and most gaming revenue goes to build houses, schools, roads, sewer projects, and water systems. The money also helps to fund Native American health-care and educational programs, and helps to build a hardy economic base for tribal members.

Gaming has long been a part of the Native American culture and remains so on reservations where gaming is permitted. Native Americans regard gaming as part of their culture and part of the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. They also regard gaming as important to the health of their tribal culture overall. Gaming does bring with it certain controversial issues, such as substance abuse and tribal versus state sovereignty. The economic impact of gaming, as well as the impact of the growing industry, however, demonstrate that Indian gaming is alive and well on reservations and proves to be a popular pastime for Native Americans and non-Native Americans alike.

Groups such as the California Nations Indian Gaming Association are working hard to dispel the stereotypes about Indians and Indian gaming and to work to ensure a balanced relationship between the federal, state, and Native American governments. These groups help to promote Indian gaming while educating people on Native American culture and history.