Native American Casino Gambling

The growing industry of gambling creates revenue from taxes, but is it really profitable? Smith-Christopher claims “the total amount accounts for less than a quarter of the gambling industry revenues nationwide each year.” It can be said that gambling can help economic progress, “Nearly half of all tribal gaming enterprises earn less than $10 million in annual revenue, and one-quarter earn less than $3 million each year. On the other end of the spectrum, about 40 tribal casinos (or about 1 in 10) take in two-thirds of all Indian gaming revenues” (Smith-Christopher). The economic benefits that gambling creates may outweigh the addictions it may create. Walker claims, “As gambling expands, the gambling industry and government are beginning to

According to the Commission on the Review of National Policy toward Gambling, gambling in the United States grossed over $40 billion dollars in 1995 (Dunstan, 1997). Professor I. Nelson Rose describes three waves of gambling during the history of the colonies and the United States. The first of these waves began during the start of this great nation and lasted until the mid-1800s. The second wave was at the end of our Civil War and lasted until the early 1900s. Finally, the last wave started during the Great Depression and is still going strong today. I believe a fourth wave has already commenced with new technology paving the way. The new technology consists of, first and

American Indian culture included gambling for many centuries. More than 100 tribes were known to play different versions of dice games before the Europeans settled in the United States. In the United States, gambling on Indian reservations has become quite common. There are 225 tribes in 28 states who operate some sort of gaming facility. Gambling on reservations was initially established to promote economic development in order to increase the standard of living. It was seen as a way to increase income on poverty-stricken reservations. (Momper 2010)

Towering Hundreds of feet in the air you might have noticed a casino near your town or city. These large complexes are basically a money making machine. Usually Owned by the Native American Culture. These are the main source of income on the reservation for these tribes (Native American Casinos). Although used by Native Tribes in America the First Casino originated in Italy in 1638. The Casinos are a place where many average Americans spin the wheel of luck trying to win a profit on their money. Now the chances of winning big vary as there are many different tiers of gambling. You can have very little money and play on the slots or you can be a high-roller and spend hundreds or thousands on games of black-jack or poker.

was as much a part of a miner?s possessions as was the pick with which he

State and federal laws preventing lotteries had a profound unintended consequence. There is a long history of illegal gambling proceeds corrupting politics and one of the most appropriate examples involves the Democratic Party political machine of New York City, Tammany Hall. Zachariah Simmons built a very organized network with hundreds of policy shops throughout New York City. In just one week, the gross receipts totaled $1 million and a great deal of those profits trickled down to the local political bosses. Tammany Hall ruled politics in New York City for decades by a few simple means--corruption and voter fraud. For example, Tammany Hall literally released prisoners from the penitentiary to vote for them in the election of 1843. William

Gambling has been around for quite some time. Initially outlawed, it became legal in 1931 and it has been an interesting road from there. The ringing of slot machines, winning at bingo or poker has become an addiction of sorts, to people of different races and cultures. And Native Americans have not been left out either.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was passed in 1988 by Ronald Regan (Davis 4.3.). This act was shaping for compromise between US federal government and Indian tribes. Also, Indian tribes hope to be able to protect their own sovereignty, and the US government was tended to regard gaming under their control. According to the “Casino Roots” by Jessica R. Cattelino mentioned, “it is a powerful image, yet one that renders gaming resources external to indigenous economic and political action. Similarly, studies of casinos "impact" on indigenous communities implicitly render gaming as a capitalist project that acts upon indigenous peoples (1).” The government passed this policy purposed to promote the development of tribal economies and avoid the

IGRA is viewed differently among the Native and the non-Native people. To many Americans, IGRA is a compromise between the American government and the tribal government because it enables tribes to support themselves, while it meets the Congress’ intention of opening more jobs to control poverty-related crimes. According to a survey by the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) in 2006, as much as 75% of Americans believe that Indians benefit from gaming (“The Economic Impact of Indian Gaming in 2006”). It is approximated that the tribal gaming industry generates $15.9 billion in revenue in 2003 (“National Indian Gaming Association”), and has created over 550,000 jobs (Light and Rand, 85). Even though there is only a small change in the number of crimes as a result of casinos, it is enough to conclude that “crime rates were reduced, but not in an overwhelming way” (Light and Rand, 97). On the contrary, Native Americans believe that it is a “one-sided negotiations” that gives the state and federal government power over tribal authority (Light and Rand, 3).

Obviously, a cash-heavy, multi-billion dollar industry that is exempt from corporate federal taxes, such as the Indian casino industry, certainly has great potential for corruption. However, there aren’t many documented cases of actual mafia involvement. It’s the kind of issue that makes for juicy rumors, but there isn’t much evidence to back it up. As time has passed, federal authorities have concluded that there is very little mafia involvement with Indian gaming. For

When signing treaties with the U.S. Native Americans made sure their sovereign rights were retained. Due to the success of gaming operations tribes have had, they have had the chance to provide essential services themselves for their people instead of being dependent on the government. In turn this has frustrated many states as they feel it impacts their own sovereignty and they wish to imply heavier restrictions on gaming. States are unable to gain revenue from taxes of tribal gaming and yet the tribes are part of the state. Individual states feel they have a lack of control over Indian gaming. Most state officials do not believe that Indian gaming should be exempt from paying state taxes. States feel that if they have to deal with the negative aspects of gambling (drugs, addiction, reckless behavior, etc.) that exist that they deserve to get some of the revenue and have their opinions heard. Tribal rights must also be taken into consideration. Life for Native Americans has always been associated with poverty and limited means to make a living. Income from gaming is a way to better the life of the

The Seminole Tribe has had a semi-monopoly over the gambling and casinos in Florida. The Florida State Legislature is considering the options on expanding gambling in Florida. Many Florida residents believe that the expansion of gambling would bring crime and other social issues such as white collar crimes, fraud, credit card, and employee theft. Two of the major opponents of expanding gambling are Walt Disney Co. and Universal Studios. Other Florida residents feel that it is time the expand the gambling industry. Expanding the gambling would help grow the economy by creating jobs and by increasing tax revenue. Even though gambling could bring crime and other social problems, it should be expanded because Florida would benefit from the additional

Money makers exercise the people employed in these industries, and have blossomed a multibillion dollar industry worldwide where many seek employment with a big corporation and the government making profit. From 1992 to 2008, gambling revenue in Canada has increased by billions, from just over 2 to 14 billion, proving itself to be a highly profitable business. Location or extensive travel is no longer a restrictive factor because of the introduction of online gambling and because of its ease of access, many more people are getting involved in gambling. Revenue from these online gambling venues too, allows for investors to profit from advertisements on sites. The rise in casino facilities in cities, has made it easier

In the early 1930s, gambling was legalized throughout the state of Nevada and casinos began to flourish (Dunstan, 1997). The economic growth in Nevada, especially the city of Las Vegas, has improved tremendously by the creation of casinos. Many people were employed since the operation of casinos requires a huge amount of labor, skill, and expertise. In addition, local retail sales also increased from casinos when gamblers visit the stores to spend their winnings on various items and products (Garrett, 2003). As a result, many state governments began to legalize casinos in order to boost their economies and increase employment. As of today, there are roughly 1500 casinos in the United States and they generate almost 65 billion dollars in revenue (“Facts on U.S Casinos” 2013). However, casinos use immoral methods to achieve this incredible feat of big profit with few government interventions. While the city of Las Vegas becomes more prosperous than before, many citizens lose their fortunes or even lives by the immoral business practices implemented by the casinos. Even though the

Then there are the race tracks. They are now legal in over four fifths of all the states in America. The owners of the track take 18 to 21 percent of money wagered. The bettor has a likelihood of winning only a 0.41 to 0.44 probability of winning. That is about one half of one percent! But, it is a well-known fact that when a man wins at gambling, he is very likely to stay in for another game—and then lose his winnings! It is no wonder that it is called “gambling fever.” It is almost an insanity which grips a person.