What About Casinos Based On Reservations

Although while some Native American Tribes may benefit financially because of the casinos, most have the worst standard of living in the United States.

Tribes are responsible for managing social services, health and education, housing and legal issues, natural resources and gaming establishments. Casino profits are generally used to fund educational and social services programs for the tribe. (Momper and Jackson 2007)

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.

Per capita payments are the cash that the tribe distributes each year from its casino profits, which have grown as gaming revenues have risen and can range from as little as a few hundred dollars a year to more than $100,000. These payments have been shown to have negative affects and could be done in a more positive and effective way. In the study done by the American Indian Law Journal, of the 17 tribes studies that handed casino profits directly to its members, 10 saw their poverty rates rise, and of the 7 tribes that did note, only two saw such an increase. One tribe in northern Washington has eliminated poverty completely, and that tribe does not issue any per capita payments and has used its casino profits to diversify into other businesses. With growing tribal gaming revenues, poverty can become worse through the way casino profits are sometimes distributed through its per capita payments. These payments can be seen as a form of reparations, but they show the negative affects they have on the Native Americans by allowing some of them to be comfortable with living in poverty because of they payments they know they are going to receive from the casinos due to their large profits and the way casinos distribute them.

This is considering that some tribes have been highly successful with building gambling casinos on their reservation land, and their economic conditions have

Mike Justice, a member of the Siletz tribe in Oregon, is jobless and lives with his recovering addict wife and son (The Economist, 2015). He could work at the tribe’s casino, but instead collects welfare payments and $1,200 yearly from the casino per capita payments (The Economist, 2015). The minimum wage he would make at the casino would barely pay for the transportation costs, since Justice has no vehicle, so he would rather not work and collect money (The Economist, 2015). This is a growing problem and a newer study in the American Indian Law Journal of 24 tribes in the Pacific North-West shows that growing casino revenues can actually make poverty worse as poverty rose from 25% to 29% from 2000 to 2010(The Economist, 2015). Of the 17 tribes in the study that paid directly to tribe members, poverty rose in ten of them (The Economist, 2015). Why the rise in poverty? One reason is the way the money is distributed. The more an individual is paid, the more he has the desire not to work (The Economist, 2015). Obesity, poor health, drug abuse, and alcoholism are already problems and without health insurance, from not working, these problems get much

3). Of course, these high growth industries pertain to casinos as depicted through the picture, which precedes the text. of a large Bingo Casino owned by the Coeur D’Alene Tribe. This only serves to further the growing belief in America's society that Native Americans have struck it rich with the establishment of Casinos, but unemployment among adult Indians is about 15 percent – roughly three times the national average – and Native Americans remain America’s poorest people. Of the more than 560 Native American nations, only 224 are involved in gaming (NARF, n.d., para. 3).

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

Reservations were originally lands set aside for the resettlement of Indian tribes with the promise of freedom and the power to self-govern. Instead they have become tourist attractions; their citizens forced into the role of entertainers. Deeply rooted ceremonial practices and beliefs are tainted and exposed for the

Casinos […] put value back into the local real estate market and cash into workers' pockets' " (Biloxi, Miss., Celebrates... 5). According to the article, "Biloxi, Miss., Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Casino-Induced Prosperity", "Desporte's Biloxi Paper Co. Sells paper goods, office and cleaning supplies, and other products, mostly to casinos and

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.

Native Americans had lived in North America long before European settlers. They had free reign of its natural resources and beauty. However, as we all know, this changed. According to the Britannica article, “United States”, “The expansion of agricultural settlement crowded the Native Americans into reservations.” After being taking away from their land, they were forced into reservations. The government now provides benefits for them, but in the past years the government has failed to live up to that expectations. Sadly, reservations are now reportedly being the poorest communities in United States. No, the government should not manage Native American Reservations due to the history of mismanaging

The Indian gaming seems to have been the most effective project in transforming the life of American Indians that is, by creating a way of self-sufficiency for nations. Initially, the tribes had depended on grants from the government, tourism, agriculture as well as light manufacturing to earn a living. Initially, the few businesses that they had started such as shops and basket weaving among others were not successful. Other organizations had failed to prosper and were taken as poor wards of the state. Indian gaming became the main component for the growth of the community as well as the economic development. The gaming substituted the over reliance on federal government with the introduction of the cultural financial activity (Akee et al.190). The Foundation of the American Indian Casinos had vital improvements on both the tribe’s economy as well as their social lives. Not only did Casinos helped to decrease unemployment rates among the American Indians, but also increased the income of Native American families.

This said “While there are many activists helping improve the situation and casinos help bring in revenue, Native Americans are confined to 4% of what was once completely their land.” This isn’t a concession about whether or not Native Americans are oppressed, but rather if the situation is being improved. Many people believe that them living on reservations is the best case scenario, however, there is room for improvement with everything. I believe that this is a pertinent situation that must be addressed. Native Americans are our equals and are a first-hand look into the USA’s past. They should be incorporated into the future.

Adding to Native American casino fortunes, their casinos are likely to increase over the next few years. It is noted that several states are reaching agreements to allow the introduction or expansion of Native American casinos because of the additional revenues they can provide. This increases the Native American casinos opportunities and consitutes a high barrier for new entrants. The major source for this entry barrier is the cost disadvantage independent of scale regarding the favorable government polices vis -a -vis the Indian Gaming and Recration Act of 1988.