Native American Casino History

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

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.

Gaming revenues for Native Americans have greatly increased since the passage of the Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988 (Anderson, 2013). The rise has been especially steady over the last 10 years, even with the bad economy, as the revenue went from $22.6 billion in 2005 to $28.5 in 2014 (NIGC, 2015). Many in society think Native Americans are getting rich and are in much better shape because of these casinos. Some studies even how tribes are in much better shape. The Great Smoky Mountains Study showed a $6,000 increase

In the early 1990 's, Mississippi approved for the construction of the first gambling establishments on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. At this time, there were few things to do when you went to the beach. You had Marine Life, various restaruants, and certain shops, but nothing big that people would come from all over for. The Gulf Coast desperately needed something to boost their economy and officials felt that casinos would do just that. The only stipulation was that the actual gambling areas must be on the water. This led to the casinos being constructed on top of old barges.

Gambling has been a popular activity in the United States from the 1600’s to the present day United States. As gambling grows as a worldwide enterprise, it expands the United States with the opportunities it provides and the attention it consumes. Gambling as a whole benefits different recreational activities and events such as sports. Gambling also allows people visiting places like Las Vegas to enjoy playing poker with friends and even winning money after a game of poker or Slot Machine. Gambling allows many activities to be expanded to their full potential and offer people the full

How does the history of the Native American in the U.S. compare with the values that stand at the foundation of the U.S. (freedom, liberty, equality)?

Indian casinos helped get tribes out of poverty and neglect. “ tribal members had to look too country government to access welfare programs, which were often far the remote Indian reservations.” (Kallen 18) When the benefit programs changed, the government continued to fund tribal welfare. “The Indian Nations sought out new revenue sources to help their people. They found it thru gaming.” (Kallen 12). The Indian nation went through many issues such as poverty and unemployment. On reservations, there are not that many opportunities. They did not have a voice when it came to choosing their reservation they were forced to be there. The land is not very useful for agriculture or mining, but gaming was their way of getting ahead in life.

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

Along with the Supreme Court’s 1987 decision in California vs. Cabazon, the passing of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 has made gaming a significant part of tribal economic development. Gaming has brought about economic self-determination for Native Americans for the first time in over two hundred years (Neath, 1995). Over two hundred of the United States’ 544 federally recognized tribes have established gaming on tribal lands (Neath, 1995). However, along with the economic profits, Indian gaming has brought many Native Americans back to reservations after many years of living off-reservation.

With these alarmingly high rates in mind we must look past the thought of this being solely an addiction for Asians and Asian Americans but rather a part of their tradition and culture. As Samuel Huntington said, “ Civilizations are differentiated from each other by history, language, culture, tradition and, most important, religion. “ (Huntington, pg. 25) In Asian and Asian American tradition and culture, gambling is to be considered an accepted practice at home and in public. (Asian-Nation) Asians accept gambling due to their deep fascination with the mystical qualities of luck, fate, and chance. (Asian-Nation) Claimed by an anonymous Chinese gambler, “We have this saying in Chinese: if you don’t gamble, you don’t know how lucky you are.” (Psychology Today) This quote shows the social and traditional connection between Asian people and gambling. Proving that this cannot be defined as an addiction. The strong belief in luck, fate, or fortune is part of the driving force behind Asians and gambling. (Psychology Today) In the Asian Culture during the Chinese New Year we see

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

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was passed by the United States on October 17, 1988, to manage gaming on tribal lands. It provided the main framework by providing a legislative basis for operation of Indian gaming. It protected the right to game which encourages increases in revenue and economic development within tribes. It also ensured that the games were fair and honest. This law established the National Indian Gaming Commission, which is a independent federal regulatory agency within the Department of Interior. This commission is the only federal agency that is solely purposed to manage gambling, which sometimes involves other departments such as the U.S. Department of Justice. In my opinion, Indian gaming is positive and most likely

The development of tribal casinos or what is commonly referred to as organized gambling can be credited to Native American reservations. Gaming operations have brought phenomenal success to many native tribes in America, and there has been a new dimension to the existing debate regarding Native American sovereignty in organized gambling. There are over 310 casinos ran by about one-third the nations federally recognized tribes, and generate around $10 billion in revenue which is one-sixth of all revenue generated through legal gaming in the country (Evans, Topoleski, 2002). Many of the tribes are now able to provide for themselves essential services rather than wait for the government. However, most

Tribal government gaming on Indian lands is significantly changing life for many of the more than 4.1 million American Indians in the United States. It has proven to be there first and most effective tool for economic development on sovereign, Tribal lands.