American Indian tribes, including Florida s Seminoles, open bingo halls. New Jersey becomes the second state to allow casino gambling. The National Indian Gaming Association is formed to lobby and advocate for tribes with gambling operations. The U.S. Supreme Court decides in the Cabazon case that American Indians can operate high-stakes casino games unless a game is forbidden by state laws. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act is signed into law.
Tribes begin opening casinos.
Lotto America, the first national lottery, begins. New York allows nonresidents to place phone bets at off-track betting shops. By the end of the year, South Dakota legalizes casino gambling and video lottery terminals. Foxwoods casino opens in Connecticut. Operated by the Pequot American Indians, its gambling income is now the largest in the world.