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.


The existence of these massive tribal resorts is the result of decades of complex legal battles and federal legislation.

How Tribal Casinos Became Legal

The primary goal of the IGRA was to promote tribal economic development, self-sufficiency, and strong local governments.


Under the IGRA, gaming is divided into three distinct classes, each subject to entirely different levels of state and federal regulation.

These state compacts dictate exactly how much revenue the tribe must share with the local state government in exchange for holding a monopolyBecause they operate on sovereign land, tribal casinos are generally exempt from many standard state taxes and corporate regulationsThis sovereign status is why a massive, full-scale casino can exist legally in a state where commercial gambling is otherwise strictly prohibited
Class II vs. Class III Machines: The Hidden Difference

If you visit a tribal casino that only has a Class II license, you will notice the slot machines look slightly different.


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

Economic ImpactDestinationPurposeGaming RevenueTribal GovernmentFunds roads, schools, healthcare, and infrastructureState Revenue ShareLocal State GovernmentPaid in exchange for market exclusivity (Compact)

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