U.S. Indian Gaming

Of the over 500 American Indian Tribes in the U.S., few have been able to successfully offer Indian gaming. Only those reservations near key traffic arteries draw the necessary customers to support a casino. Successful tribes share several economic benefits with surrounding regions, including:

  • Pride of ownership and a new vision of hope
  • Tribal revenues supporting Indian government and social services, economic development, and independence from federal programs
  • Employment for tribal members and area residents
  • Reduction in public assistance expenditures
  • Increased spending and employment
  • Increased tourism
  • Increased sales and payroll tax revenues

Despite the recent attention focused on American Indian gaming, it represents only 8% of U.S. gaming. Of the balance, 42% is governmental gaming and 50% is commercial gaming, primarily in Nevada and New Jersey. Casino gaming popularity is spurred by the ever-increasing disposable income of U.S. consumers.

The casino gaming industry is an important provider of jobs, wages, and taxes. Casino-related jobs match the national average wage, exceeding the average wage of several other industries.

Source: Developing an Economic Partnership with Coachella Valley, CA; Bonnie Chafe, 1997

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