For over a century most Native American tribes have lived on poverty stricken reservations. Many of these large reservations are in remote areas where economic opportunity is limited. Until the 1950’s the government tried to suppress native culture and traditions. Many saw gaming as one of the only economic opportunities available to Native American Tribes. Controversy arose when some tribes put bingo halls and casinos on Native land.

Many states opposed Native American gaming but the tribes asserted sovereignty over their reservations making them immune from state laws. In 1988 Congress passed the Indian Regulatory Gaming Act which required states to negotiate with Indian tribes to forge agreements concerning Indian gaming. If a state failed to negotiate in good faith the law gave the tribes the right to sue in Federal court.

The Seminole tribe of Florida requested the state of Florida to negotiate an agreement and the state refused. The ensuing legal war resulted in a win for the Seminoles paving the way for Indian casinos. Since President Reagan signed the act revenues for tribal gaming have soared from $100 million in 1988 to $16.7 billion in 2006.

Information from the National Indian Gaming Commission states that there are approximately 400 Indian casinos in the United States. These casinos have brought in much needed revenue to formerly impoverished reservations. The casinos are popular and draw visitors from neighboring states. The Pequot tribe of Massachusetts owns Foxwoods casino the, largest in the United States.

To think that this huge industry started with a dispute over a high stakes bingo hall in Florida. The Seminole tribal chairman approved the plans for the bingo hall and approved the hall’s operation of six days a week contrary to Florida law which only allows two days a week for bingo halls to be open. The Seminole bingo hall also exceeded the $100 limit on jackpots set by the state of Florida. The sheriff of Broward County, where the Indian reservation lies harassed the bingo hall and its patrons and the tribe sued.

The ultimate result was the opening of Indian owned casinos and bingo halls nationwide. Tribes finally had money to provide basic services for tribal members and invested a great deal of money in educational facilities and other social services. The next time you visit an Indian bingo hall or casino thank the courage of the Seminoles.