Casinos are driving improvements in Indian country economies, according to the Census Bureau.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), passed by Congress in the 1990s, allowed for the enormous expansion of casinos on tribal territories, which had a significant economic impact.

According to a recent study conducted by the Census Bureau, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 31% of persons residing on tribal territory were impoverished in 1989. That ratio dropped to 19.6% last year due to tribal casinos’ financial contributions, although it is still higher than the 12.1% national average.

When compared to non-casino reservation ZIP codes in the same state, the research indicates that tribal casino operations increase wages for American Indians and lower unemployment for local residents of all races working in casino-related industries (accommodation, food service, and arts and entertainment), according to the Census Bureau.

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In fact, tribal gaming in the US has grown at an astounding rate. There were no such venues in this nation in 1989. The current figure is almost 600.

Tribal Casinos Are Very Successful. In actuality

Indian Country’s gaming locations are significant in terms of both size and economic impact. In relation to the former, tribal casinos make up nine of the ten biggest domestic gaming establishments.

With yearly revenues of over $40 billion over the previous few years, tribal casinos are also significant sources of income. Because the IGRA mandates that tribes allocate a share of their profits for welfare and economic development on their separate reservations, this success is significant.

The Census Bureau continues, “It also suggests that direct cash transfer programs (i.e., per capita payments of casino profits) may have contributed to improved living standards, on average, for tribal citizens living on reservations.” This implies that the IGRA can be seen as a “place-based” policy that promotes economic development in particular areas by allowing casino operations.

Tribes were able to enter the commercial gaming industry thanks to their ability to make money from gaming establishments on their sovereign territory. Numerous commercial casinos, including those in Las Vegas, are currently operated by gaming organizations under the jurisdiction of tribal nations. For instance, Red Rock Resorts sold Palms to the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians in California in May 2021, and Hard Rock International will manage the Strip property that was once known as the Mirage when it reopens.

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