The Growth and Impact of Native American Gaming

Native American gaming facilities have multiplied, not because US voters like them, although they apparently do, but because of recent legislation that permits their existence in various US jurisdictions (Institute for the Study of Gaming, 1990). Since 1988, 124 Native American casino facilities, ranging from small bingo halls to full-fledged gambling houses, have sprouted up in 24 states. At the end of 1993, full-scale Native American casinos were operating in 13 states, and 5other states had approved operations. There are currently 65 Class III (fullscale) casinos operating in 17 states throughout the country, and several more are on the way. The Native American gaming industry, which recorded revenues of more than $1 billion in1992 and an estimated $2 to $4 billion in1993, is expected to top $6 billion within the next few years (Connor, 1993). Figure 1 identifies the gross revenue generated among the various types of legalized gaming in the nation during 1992.