While Nevada is famous globally, the vast majority of physical casino locations in the United States are actually located on tribal lands.
Understanding the history of these venues is crucial for understanding the modern landscape of American gambling.
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act Explained
The modern era of tribal gaming officially began with the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) in 1988.
Under the IGRA, gaming is divided into three distinct classes, each subject to entirely different levels of state and federal regulation.
- The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) is the federal agency tasked with regulating and auditing these massive tribal operations
- Before a tribe can build a Class III casino, they must prove historical ties to the specific land where the resort will be constructed
- The revenue generated is legally required to be used for tribal government operations, charitable donations, or the general welfare of the tribe
The Mechanics of Class II Bingo Slots
This is because Class II slot machines are not actually slot machines at all; they are high-speed, electronic bingo games in disguise.
In a Class II tribal machine, pressing ‘Spin’ enters you into a networked game of bingo against everyone else playing in the casino.
| Gaming Class | Game Types Included | Regulatory Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Class II | Bingo, Pull-Tabs, ‘Bingo’ Slots | Tribe-regulated with Federal oversight (No State Compact needed) |
| Class III | Vegas Slots, Blackjack, Craps, Roulette | Requires a heavily negotiated State Compact |
From the massive Foxwoods Resort in Connecticut to small bingo halls in the Midwest, tribal gaming is incredibly diverse.
