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.

How Tribal Casinos Became Legal

The modern era of tribal gaming officially began with the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) in 1988.

Class III gaming includes full-scale casino gambling (slot machines, blackjack, roulette) and requires the tribe to negotiate a complex 'compact' with the state government.

• Many tribes use casino profits to build massive infrastructure projects, funding local schools, state-of-the-art hospitals, and vital housing developments
• Some tribes distribute a portion of the net gaming revenues directly to individual tribal members in the form of regular 'per capita' payments
• The success of these resorts has completely transformed the economic reality for several formerly impoverished Native American communities

Class II vs. Class III Machines: The Hidden Difference

A common complaint from tourists is that the slot machines in certain tribal casinos feel 'weird' or behave unexpectedly.

In a Class II tribal machine, pressing 'Spin' enters you into a networked game of bingo against everyone else playing in the casino.

The next time you play at a tribal resort, take a moment to appreciate the complex legal history that built the building.