TRIBAL GAMING
STAYING IN THE LOOP
Iqbal Johal provides an update into the tribal gaming sports betting landscape, and the importance of tribal interests being considered in proposed legislation.
16 GAMINGAMERICA
Tribal gaming in the US is a money-spinning industry. It’s estimated to be worth $33.7bn, with 460 gaming establishments country-wide, operated by 240 federally recognized tribes in 29 states. The sovereignty status in the areas in which tribes operate gives states limited ability to forbid gaming there, and limited powers to pass certain legislation, with policy issues overseen by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and decided in the federal court system. However, when it comes to sports betting, it has made passing legislation to legalize it in certain states improbable, with the main stakeholders at loggerheads, unable to reach a compromise.
