INDIAN GAMING IN THE USA Broad Introduction(Preface to the Triptych Case Studies)

By Shalin Hai-Jew

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CONTEXT

Hundreds of years of misdirected federal policies towards Native Americans

Low socioeconomic status (SES), high poverty rates, and low health and other indicators of well being for Native Americans

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TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY

the “central legitimating issue” for Indian gaming (Elinson, Jan. 19, 2007, n.p.)

“a matter not only of sensitivity and legal nuance” but also “the crux of dispute” related to Indian gaming (Elinson, Jan. 19, 2007, n.p.)

also labeled “dual sovereignty” (Fenelon, Nov. 2006, p. 382)

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PUSH FOR NATIVE AMERICAN SELF SUFFICIENCY

Native American Government: Reservation infrastructure building

Economic partnerships, entrepreneurial endeavors and fund-raising

Revitalizing tribal governance Reconnecting with traditional cultures and

languages Jobs creation Image recreation US Government: Fewer transfer

payments, more tax revenues

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“INDIAN GAMING”

“gaming conducted by an ‘Indian tribe’ on ‘Indian lands’” (Light and Rand, 2005, p. 3)

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INDIAN GAMING REGULATORY ACT (1988)

Tribes… must establish their own gaming regulatory

systems; must solely own Indian casinos; must use net revenues for restricted

purposes…

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RESTRICTED EXPENDITURES FROM TRIBAL GAMING

(i)    to fund tribal government operations or programs;

(ii)   to provide for the general welfare of the Indian tribe and its members;

(iii)  to promote tribal economic development;

(iv)  to donate to charitable organizations;

(v) or to help fund operations of local government agencies. 7

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DETRACTORS

Some corporate casinos Some religious groups Some political groups Some Native tribes and “traditionalists”

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ECONOMIC CHALLENGES

No new wealth creation Less taxation for state coffers Self-contained benefits to Indian casinos with

little to no “spillover” benefits Undue infrastructure and public services

burden on the local community

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ECONOMIC CHALLENGES (CONT.)

High “opportunity costs” for the tribe Unfair support for a particular segment of

society A recycling of tribal moneys only A rise in crime

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TRIBAL RELATIONSHIPS / NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURES CHALLENGES

Inter-tribal strife and competition Misuse of sacred lands Gaming is counter-cultural Unintended social changes towards more

individualism, more focus on materialism, and more cultural decay Conflict with Native American lifestyles

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ETHICAL AND / OR MORAL EFFECTSCHALLENGES

Promotion of problem gambling Buying political power Image changing for Native Americans A compromising of Indian nationhood and

sovereignty Mainstream economic assimilation

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TIMELINE FOR NATIVE GAMING

1991Legalized Riverboat

Gaming in Iowa and Illinois

1988Indian Gaming

Regulatory Act (IGRA)1978Atlantic City, New Jersey

1931Las Vegas,

Nevada

1990Land-Based Casino Gaming

(Slot Machines at Pari-mutuel

Racetracks or Racinos in West Virginia

A General Timeline of Native American Gaming

1985National Indian

Gaming Association (NIGA) Founding

1979Seminole Tribe of FL

High Stakes Bingo Parlor Followed by 150 Tribes in

Next Two Years

2007At Present:

400+ Indian Gaming Facilities in US

(in 29 states)

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STATISTICS TODAY

567 federally recognized Indian tribes in the US

4.1 million Americans with American Indian ancestry (1.5% of the nation’s population)

65% of Indian tribes in lower 48 use Indian gaming for government revenue

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STATISTICS TODAY (CONT.)

$22.6 billion generated by Indian gaming in 2005

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THREE CASE STUDY APPROACHES

THE ECONOMICS FRAME: “All in? Economic Factors to Consider in Native Gaming”

THE SOCIAL – CULTURAL FRAME: “Smallpox or New Buffalo: What’s the Right Analogy for Native Gaming?”

THE POLITICAL FRAME: “Setting the Rules for Native Gaming” 16

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USING FRAMES TO STUDY INDIAN GAMING

Indian GamingFrame

Frame

Frame

Frame

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CONCLUSION

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