IGRA, in fact, limits and constrains the tribal rights recognized in Cabazon. Indian tribes are governments. Gaming on Indian reservations is operated by tribes to fund governmental programs. Tribal governments, like local and state governments, have responsibility for the lives and well-being of their citizens. Like non-Tribal governments, Tribes must face the housing, medical, hunger, education and job training needs of their members.
Tribes are thus neither charities nor commercial enterprises.
They are governments and have been recognized as such for hundreds of years, most recently by the last six Presidents. Because of such needs, IGRA provides that gaming revenues must be spent for designated governmental purposes. In practice, the percentage is often significantly higher. IGRA requires that all such revenues be solely used for governmental or charitable purposes. Tribal gaming has little public support among non-Indians.