Tribal Children Thriving From Casino Gambling Revenue

Casino gambling has been somewhat of a savior for American Indians in the US. There are 562 recognized American Indian tribes in the country, and almost half of them have operating casinos.

The money that is generated from these casinos has been put to great use by the tribes. Most importantly, college scholarships are being awarded, and American Indian children are having their entire college experience paid for.

Outside of education, there are also other areas of life that is being improved through the casino revenue. Business development services, career counseling, and education are just at the top of the list. It is estimated that tribal casinos bring in over $25 billion a year in revenue.

"What the casinos have done is give the tribal communities a way to support themselves and further their education," said observer Harold Braley, "the casinos are a model that are now being used by state governments to show the impact casino gambling could have on a community."

The tribes have not been greedy in their casino efforts. They have entered into compacts with the states in which their casinos are run, and many are paying those states upwards of $100 million annually.

The money that comes from the tribal gaming in most cases goes to the education system in the state. Higher education has been an area where much of the gambling revenue has gone. In Colorado, community colleges are receiving the majority of the money from recent expanded casino gambling.

"The tribal casinos have been as much a part of the casino wave we are seeing in the US as any politician," said Braley, "when lawmakers saw the amounts of money that could be generated, and the minimal problems the tribes were having where the casinos are located, it became a no-brainer to expand casino laws in many states."

July 11, 2009
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
Submit News!

Thursday Looms As Big Day For Gambling Expansion In Iowa
Queensland Government Tackles problem Gambling With $1 Million
Atlantic City Gambling Revenue Down Over Ten Percent In June
St. Louis Casino Revenue Drops Slightly In June
Problem Gambling Treatment Situation In Connecticut Gets Hairy