Casino Enterprise Management

In the wake of a challenging legislative cycle, the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) and its member tribes are looking forward to a new year filled with promise. Looking ahead, Indian Gaming has a more optimistic outlook on Capitol Hill than we did a year ago. The 109th Congressional session seemed to offer many negative bills for our industry and Indian sovereignty in general.

Read the Native American gaming news from February 2007. Includes information on the American Indian Alaska native Tourism Conference, new tribal contract deals with Gov. Schwartzenegger in California, and a lawsuit involving the Hard Rock Cafe International and the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

In recent years, Native Americans have come a long way. In 2006, Indian Gaming increased by 12.5 percent, growing from $22.6 billion to $25.4 billion in gross revenues. Jobs created by Indian Gaming grew from 600,000 to 650,000. As a direct result of Indian Gaming, Federal taxes and tax savings grew to $8.2 billion in 2006.

In recent years, the public appreciation of Indian gaming has steadily increased. In fact, a recent survey conducted by the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) showed that 76 percent of Americans approve of gaming casinos on Indian reservations—up from 64 percent in 2002. Some 66 percent of Americans say that regardless of their own feelings about gaming, the right of Indian tribes to govern their own affairs on reservations should be respected.