A Guide To Native American Casinos In The USA

While Nevada is famous globally, the vast majority of physical casino locations in the United States are actually located on tribal lands.


Understanding the history of these venues is crucial for understanding the modern landscape of American gambling.

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 developmentsSome tribes distribute a portion of the net gaming revenues directly to individual tribal members in the form of regular 'per capita' paymentsThe success of these resorts has completely transformed the economic reality for several formerly impoverished Native American communities
Why Tribal Slot Machines Sometimes Feel Different

A common complaint from tourists is that the slot machines in certain tribal casinos feel 'weird' or behave unexpectedly.


In a Class II tribal machine, pressing 'Spin' enters you into a networked game of bingo against everyone else playing in the casino.

Gaming ClassGame Types IncludedRegulatory RequirementClass IIBingo, Pull-Tabs, 'Bingo' SlotsTribe-regulated with Federal oversight (No State Compact needed)Class IIIVegas Slots, Blackjack, Craps, RouletteRequires a heavily negotiated State Compact

The next time you play at a tribal resort, take a moment to appreciate the complex legal history that built the building.