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The Differences Between Indian Casinos and Las Vegas Casinos

The vast majority of Indian casinos are operated by Native American tribes outside of Las Vegas and Atlantic City. They generate most of their revenue through table games. However, the Tribes decide which games to offer. While slots and video poker are popular, they make up a small fraction of revenue at these casinos. What’s more, the games available at an Indian casino are determined by the tribes themselves. Goa Casino are getting massive hits day by day. Here are the differences between Indian and Las Vegas casinos:

Native American tribes operate most of the casinos outside of Las Vegas and Atlantic City

While most casinos outside of the Las Vegas and Atlantic City area are owned and operated by commercial businesses, a large number of tribal casinos also operate. Tribal casinos are generally smaller in size than commercial casinos, though some of them are upscale resorts. Tribal casinos are generally not subject to the same regulations that apply to commercial casinos, which means they can operate as much or as little as they wish.

The IGRA was passed in 1988, allowing indigenous tribes the right to operate casinos. The law established a legislative foundation for Indian gaming and the 574 federally recognized tribes are treated as sovereign nations. In fact, many of the tribes that are operating casinos outside of Las Vegas and Atlantic City were not originally from those locations, and many of them migrated from the eastern U.S. after famine and forced relocation.

Table games generate most of the revenue at Indian casinos

In the U.S., Indian casinos generate about 43 percent of casino gambling revenue, according to the most recent report from the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC). This number is far less than the 47 percent generated by commercial casinos, including racetracks. But even if you ignore the state of the industry, tribal casinos are still making a profit. They are also helping to generate state revenue through payroll taxes, sales taxes, and other agreements.

Despite the recent decline in revenue, the NIGC sought to portray the situation in a positive light, noting that 95 percent of the tribes have since reopened. Despite the recent setbacks in revenue, the announcement comes at a bad time for Indian gaming, which is already dealing with the pandemic. Data from the Indian Health Service shows that the number of new cases of COVID-19 has exploded since the virus hit the United States, with most of the increase attributable to the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus.

Tribes decide which games they want to offer

Indian casino gaming has long been controversial. Proponents argue that the Indian people should have the same rights to run businesses as private casino owners and state governments. This means they should be able to profit from gambling in the same way as everyone else. However, critics have raised questions about the business savvy of Native Americans. Many claim that they lack education and experience, and that they act factionally in the face of controversy. Regardless of their political views, the debates over Indian gaming continue to roil the nation.

While tribal nations will still have the right to operate their own casinos, the emergence of online gaming is expected to negatively affect their revenues. However, the popularity of online gaming may provide them with new revenue streams. Indian casino tribes should seek legal counsel who understands both real-money gaming and laws applicable to skill-based games. The trend to online gaming is expected to continue and grow, and the legal challenges facing tribes will only continue to be resolved.

Revenue generated by Indian casinos

In 2008, the gambling industry in the United States generated $96.6 billion in economic output, $33.2 billion in wages and $16 billion in tax revenues. Not only did it generate money, but it also provided political clout to tribes. In the end, political power follows economic power. And since Indians dominate the gambling industry in the U.S., this relationship is vital. According to former NIGC Chairwoman Tracy Stevens, a majority of the revenues generated by Indian casinos go to the state and local governments.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, revenues from tribal casinos declined by nearly 20 percent in fiscal year 2020, according to the National Indian Gaming Commission. However, the Commission did paint a more optimistic picture, saying the shortfall will only be a few percent year over year. Still, this shortfall is alarming, as gaming revenues are expected to increase slightly in fiscal year 2020, and the NIGC’s annual report makes a strong case for establishing more Indian casinos.

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