Several years ago, the portal Casinoz published a short article under the title "redskin" gambling , devoted to American casinos owned by Indian tribes and communities. It turned out that this subject is interesting to many our readers, so we decided to develop it and tell about the law on the activities of Indian casinos.
In English, this document is called The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (commonly abbreviated IGRA). It is a United States federal law providing the legal basis for operation of casinos in their reserves.
Legislative history
Let's start with the fact that gaming was a part of the culture of American Indians long before invaders from Europe. When they were actually locked up in reserves and faced poverty, many of them thought of gaming. However, this idea was realized only in the seventies of the twentieth century.
It all started in the Indian communities in Florida and California. They opened casions where visitors could play bingo for money. Claims of government tribal leaders didn't work because their land U.S. laws do not apply, and of course casino owners did not want to share the profits.
The first experience was a success, and many others have chosen this venture. Moreover, some tribes opened casinos in states where gambling was banned in general. And where it was resolved, they made a real competition to earlier acting agencies, causing decreased flow of money into the state treasury.
Naturally, state governments started writing lobbying laws that would allow them to regulate Indian gaming. They explained it as preventing development of organized crimes, although the true reasons were obvious.
The community didn't want to lose a powerful source of income and started retaliatory actions. In parallel, it took several trials (about the case "against the Seminoles Batteruota," where the Indians won, you can read about it in the article on Casinoz). Congress had to go to different trade-offs, which resulted in the adopting the law on Indian casinos (The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act) by the government of Ronald Reagan in 1988.
The details of IGRA have beenrefined at various hearings. At the same time, state governments, and tribal representatives filed as the claims. Actually, the individual process continues today and the law is amended.
Features of the law on Indian gambling
According to the law, gambling in Indian reservations is governed by the following bodies: the governments of tribes, the Congress, the Committee on Internal Affairs and the National Indian Gaming Commission (National Indian Gaming Commission).
The adoption of IGRA classification has introduced gambling to Indian communities. It includes three categories:
- Class I - Traditional games of Indians who were part of their celebrations and ceremonies. These tribes can arrange entertainment by their rules. They are not subject to the requirements of IGRA.
- Class II - This group includes different versions of bingo and other similar games, as well as card games, where opponents play against each other, but not against the casino. There is a special indication that this category may not include video slots and blackjack. Tribes have the right to offer them in their casinos only under the jurisdiction of the National Commission, which must approve all their actions.
- Class III - This group includes all games not included in the first and second groups. The most common games in the casino are roulette, blackjack, craps, video slots, etc. Opening this level is most difficult. permission is required not only of the leaders of the tribe, but also the state government and the National Commission.
The interesting factr is that owners of Indian casinos do not have the right to use the proceeds of their institutions at their own discretion. They are subject to certain limitations. The revenues can be spent only for the following purposes:
- Welfare of the community and it's members.
- Government funding programs for a tribe.
- Economic development of the community.
- Charity.
- Financing of local governments that provide services to families.
Usually, casino revenues are spent for educational and other social programs aimed at improving lives of community members.
Attitude to IGRA
The controversy surrounding the law on the activities of Indian casinos doesn't stop until now. Families have to defend their right to participate in gambling in the fight against state governments, public organizations and all sorts of numerous competitors. Some see them as a hotbed of crime, others simply struggle with gambling, and others want to eliminate opponents, fourth ... In general, opponents have enough Native American casino operators.
Nevertheless, the industry continues to thrive. During the first year after the adoption of IGRA, profit indigenous communities involved in this business and barely exceeded one hundred million dollars. In recent years, the total amount is several tens of billions. The number of casinos owned by Indians is more than five hundred and they operate in almost all states.
Will competitors' laws restrict the activities of the Indians in this area? Time will tell ... And Casinoz portal will keep watching and tell you all the news.
