Publisher's Synopsis
In 1988, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) established the National Indian Gaming Commission, a Federal civil regulatory agency. Since the enactment of the IGRA, Indian gaming has grown to a $26 billion industry. Indian gaming makes up approximately 43 percent of the entire commercial gaming industry in the United States. Gaming has been an incredibly powerful economic tool for Tribes. Gaming has brought much-needed revenue and jobs to Indian Country and has allowed Tribes to invest in their communities. Any changes to current gaming laws must take into account the special place the Tribes hold in the gaming industry, both with respect to Tribal sovereignty and out of economic fairness. If Congress considers legislation to legalize Internet gambling, it is vitally important that Tribes are consulted at every step of the process.
