While Nevada is famous globally, the vast majority of physical casino locations in the United States are actually located on tribal lands.

Because Native American tribes are considered sovereign nations, they operate under entirely different legal frameworks than commercial state casinos.

How Tribal Casinos Became Legal

The primary goal of the IGRA was to promote tribal economic development, self-sufficiency, and strong local governments.

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.

• The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) is the federal agency tasked with regulating and auditing these massive tribal operations
• Before a tribe can build a Class III casino, they must prove historical ties to the specific land where the resort will be constructed
• The revenue generated is legally required to be used for tribal government operations, charitable donations, or the general welfare of the tribe

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.