Indian casinos have changed life for Native Americans more than any other development since the establishment of reservations in the 19^th Century. Twenty-eight states now have Indian gaming.

Historically, tribes were placed on the most remote, unproductive land available for their reservations. There were few job opportunities and most families farmed or ranched on marginal land and relied heavily on government subsidies.

In 1979, the Florida Seminole tribe opened a high-states bingo facility on their reservation. The State immediately moved to close the operation and the tribe took the State all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. In The Seminole Tribe of Florida v. Butterworth, the Court ruled that the federally recognized tribe, considered a sovereign nation within the United States, had a right to operate the bingo hall.

There are now over four hundred casinos run by 233 tribes. Twenty-four states allow all gaming; four allow only bingo.  The important news is that Indian casinos earned over $ 26.5 billion a year. This money has allowed tribes to establish scholarships, build roads, install electricity and provide safe water for tribal members. Tribes pay local, state and federal taxes on profits – over $10 billion in taxes in 2008 alone.

Casinos are often the largest employer on a reservation. They have allowed tribal members to receive training and the opportunity to earn a living for their families. Many of the tribes started their casinos under professional management and have gradually moved tribal members into leadership positions.

Indian gaming has allowed some of the poorest tribes in America to bring their members from poverty to employment. Tribal members have benefited by employment, education, and improved housing. Many tribes are able to provide for their elderly and children for the first time. And some of the tribes have used casino profits to preserve their language and culture for future generations.