{"id":87571,"date":"2019-05-17T08:47:15","date_gmt":"2019-05-17T15:47:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theavtimes.com\/?p=87571"},"modified":"2021-10-15T15:51:04","modified_gmt":"2021-10-15T22:51:04","slug":"pride-and-self-sufficiency-a-look-at-the-history-of-tribal-gaming-resorts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theavtimes.com\/2019\/05\/17\/pride-and-self-sufficiency-a-look-at-the-history-of-tribal-gaming-resorts\/","title":{"rendered":"Op-ed: Pride and self-sufficiency: A look at the history of tribal gaming resorts"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Tribal gaming operations generate all manner of financial and economic support. Photo by JR Ramos \/ CC BY 2.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Indian Reservation or Tribal casinos have been a key component of the American casino and gambling industry<\/a> for decades. Out of the 562 recognized tribes in the country, around 200 operate full casinos and gaming resorts. In California alone, there over 60 Native American-operated full casinos that support our indigenous tribes, with profits covering everything from education<\/a> to charity work and health care, enabling real self-sufficiency for these communities.<\/p>\n

It All Started in Seminole<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tribal casinos currently generate more revenue than Atlantic City and Las Vegas casinos combined. However, the phenomenon of gambling in tribe-owned casinos didn\u2019t begin until the late 1970s. The Seminole Tribe in Florida opened up a high-stakes bingo hall, which despite being hugely popular with residents and tourists alike was illegal at the time, according to state law. Local authorities tried their best to shut down the operation, but the tribe wasn\u2019t giving up without a fight, and a number of lawsuits soon followed. As the decade drew to a close, the Supreme Court gave its official ruling: The Seminole Tribe had recognized tribal sovereignty, and as such, the state did not have the right to regulate the activities of the reservation or even tax its occupants.<\/p>\n

Such a groundbreaking ruling set a precedent that enabled similar decisions in future cases. In the Cabazon decision in 1987<\/a>, the Supreme Court ruled that provided gaming for money activities were legal in the state where the reservation was based, and as such, the state once again couldn\u2019t regulate its activities. This ruling formally solidified in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which allows recognized tribes across the country to open and operate casinos after conferring with their state. In the cases where states refuse to negotiate, the Secretary of the Interior decides, usually in favor of the Indian tribe.<\/p>\n

Famous Indian Casinos in California<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is a total of 151 tribal-owned gaming casinos<\/a> and separate cardrooms operating within the state of California, including one of the oldest in the country. The Cabazon Band of Mission Indians\u2019 casino has transformed from the underground operation it once was into the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, a sprawling entertainment complex with 250 rooms and suites, 100,000 square feet of conference space, 40 gaming tables and 2,000 slot and video gaming machines.<\/p>\n

The San Manuel Casino, owned by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, is another famous Californian gaming center. Located in the Inland Empire region, this casino is known for winning multiple awards, including Inland Empire Magazine\u2019s Best Casino 2018.<\/p>\n