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Tribal gaming is at the heart of the economies of Native nations across the United States. It has been at the forefront of indigenous sovereignty and self-efficiency. Stemming from the sovereign rights of Native nations, tribal casinos were empowered by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of 1988. This law is pivotal as it mandates that revenues from tribal gaming must go towards benefiting Native communities.
While these casinos are hubs of entertainment, they can also become symbols of empowerment and economic engines for Native nations.
There have also been numerous examples of responsible use of casino revenue having a positive impact. Tribal casinos — along with some of the best casino sites that promote responsible gaming — have helped nations address long-standing inequities by funding schools, hospitals, and cultural programs that strengthen their communities.On this page, we will showcase how tribal gaming has been an indicator of economic independence that helps Native communities grow.
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community: $900M+ in Tribal Philanthropy
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) of Minnesota is, in many ways, the gold standard of tribal casinos. Two of the country’s most successful tribal projects, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel and Little Six Casino, are under the SMSC. Along with other projects, the casinos have helped SMSC become a national leader in tribal economy and, by extension, philanthropy.
Over the years, the nation has contributed more than $400 million towards both tribal and non-tribal causes, while $500 million in low-interest loans have been given to support the economic growth of other Native communities. The SMSC is responsible for groundbreaking projects such as Seeds of Native Health, a food sovereignty campaign that aims to bridge Native nutrition disparities.
While the SMSC’s success has been driven by gaming, the community’s reach extends beyond. It has provided funding for housing, education programs, and health clinics for tribal members. Revenue has also gone towards inter-tribal collaborations with the goal of helping other nations grow their infrastructure to become self-sufficient.
The SMSC’s model of reinvesting revenues has been influential and highlights how redistribution from tribal gaming can boost local and regional economies.
Mohegan Tribe: Economic Growth & Environmental Reinvestment
The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut is known for the famous Mohegan Sun, which has been a long-standing example of a world-class land-based casino. It has also been a leader in showing how tribal gaming funds can push Native nations' economic growth. Mohegan Sun and related properties have generated revenue that has been reinvested into education, infrastructure, healthcare, and government programs to help maintain the community’s independence.
The Mohegan Nation puts an emphasis on sustainability investments. It is also a leader in projects focusing on renewable energy, clean water projects, and the production of wood pellet fuel to reduce reliance on nonrenewable resources. More community-ready investments have gone into increasing public utilities and emergency response units.
Alongside investing gaming revenues into community programs, the Mohegan Tribe also redistributes money to neighboring nations. It has developed youth programs and employment drives within the region. This balance between environmental responsibility and economic growth has helped the Mohegan Tribe become a model of sustainable investment that focuses on future growth.
Prairie Island Indian Community: Public Services & Self-Sufficiency
Gaming has become a major factor in the survival of the Prairie Island Indian Community of Minnesota and a pathway for the nation’s sovereignty. The tribe’s Treasure Island resort casino is a major attraction and the largest employer in Goodhue County. Revenue from the casino has been used for projects ranging from healthcare and housing to education and cultural revitalization.
The goal of the investment is to ensure services remain within the tribe’s control, with social programs focusing on stability and self-reliance. Funds generated by gaming have become important for helping to maintain employment, issue business grants, and create partnerships with local governments to promote collaboration.
Prairie Island Indian Community of Minnesota’s mix of tribal empowerment initiatives with public service investment shows how casino revenue can give Native nations independence without compromising openness.
Kalispel Tribe: Healthcare, Emergency Services & Regional Philanthropy
The Kalispel Tribe out of Washington State operates the popular Northern Quest Resort & Casino and uses revenue to enhance community health and safety. The profits made from gaming have been invested primarily into medical facilities. Strategic investments include building health clinics that serve tribal residents, but also people from non-tribal communities.
It is a philanthropic approach that has also helped to boost emergency services within the Native nation. The tribe has made donations towards equipment and vehicles for police and fire departments and for infrastructure-improving projects. Revenues have become an important aid to hospitals and regional wellness services that stretch across the Inland Northwest.
The Kalispel Tribe is highlighting how tribal gaming can have far-reaching social benefits for public health and community help.
The Broad Impact: Tribal Casinos Improve Public Health Resources
Tribal communities have long been aware of the direct link between casino revenue and public health improvements. Specifically, the capacity for gaming revenue to invest in healthcare initiatives for communities. A 2019 study found that there is a measurable impact made by Native communities with casinos on health and wellness infrastructure.
Furthermore, similar studies show that investment of gaming revenue in Indian nations also lowers poverty rates, drives employment, and provides access to essential services. This all stems from the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), which dictates that casino revenues must benefit tribal communities through funding for:
- Tribal government operations
- Economic development
- General welfare programs
- Charitable donations
- Local government support
This policy is important because it mandates redistribution of gaming profits through the community, and not just for private interests. Because of this, tribal casinos have become more than places for fun – they are pillars of the community and economic centers for Native tribes.
Additionally, gaming has become culturally significant across the country, with many tribal operators tapping into new revenue streams for their communities as part of a broader evolution in how US players engage with casino games.
Conclusion
It is easy to see that Tribal gaming has an industry, but it has become an extension of the Native community. Casinos have become true hubs that drive independence and economic freedom for Native communities. There are examples across the United States of nations leveraging gaming revenues to boost community, including healthcare, education, and cultural projects.
The success stories on this page are just a part of a growing trend that highlights how indigenous economies can become sustainable, partly because of gaming. By reinvesting casino revenues into the community, tribes are able to measure true development milestones.