While Nevada is famous globally, the vast majority of physical casino locations in the United States are actually located on tribal lands.
The existence of these massive tribal resorts is the result of decades of complex legal battles and federal legislation.
The Legal Foundation: The IGRA of 1988
The modern era of tribal gaming officially began with the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) in 1988.
Class II gaming encompasses bingo and electronic games that function mathematically like bingo, requiring very little state oversight.
- Many tribes use casino profits to build massive infrastructure projects, funding local schools, state-of-the-art hospitals, and vital housing developments
- Some tribes distribute a portion of the net gaming revenues directly to individual tribal members in the form of regular ‘per capita’ payments
- The success of these resorts has completely transformed the economic reality for several formerly impoverished Native American communities
The Mechanics of Class II Bingo Slots
If you visit a tribal casino that only has a Class II license, you will notice the slot machines look slightly different.
In a true Class III Vegas slot machine, an internal Random Number Generator determines the outcome of your spin the exact millisecond you press the button.
| Economic Impact | Destination | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming Revenue | Tribal Government | Funds roads, schools, healthcare, and infrastructure |
| State Revenue Share | Local State Government | Paid in exchange for market exclusivity (Compact) |
From the massive Foxwoods Resort in Connecticut to small bingo halls in the Midwest, tribal gaming is incredibly diverse.