Every year tribal gaming generates billions of dollars in revenue, creates tens of thousands of jobs, and boosts the economies of many Native American communities. In the state of California alone, tribal gaming has brought in $7.5 billion annually.
However, because of the aggressive movement to legalize Internet gambling, which effectively would give states the power to regulate and tax online gambling even on reservations, the financial success of these communities could change.
In "Native American Off-Reservation Gaming," an expert roundtable published in Gaming Law Review and Economics, publishers, panelists discuss and debate the issues of tribal gaming, focusing on the impact—both positive and negative—on both tribes and their surrounding communities.
"Though some tribes have been incredibly successful financially from casino and resort businesses, experts have observed that the Native American gaming revenues are already going flat," says Joseph M. Kelly, PhD, JD, Co-Editor-in-Chief of Gaming Law Review and Economics, professor of business law at SUNY College at Buffalo, and co-author of the article, 'Enforcement of Native American Gambling Debts.' "There is concern amongst many of these tribes that state legalization of online gambling might have a negative impact on their revenues. Many tribal experts instead would prefer federal regulation."