Indian gaming has become the industry that tribal governments can use to overturn 150 years of federal neglect. Less than one-third of the tribes in the U.S. have gaming operations. Thus the entire proceeds of the industry go back to fund tribal government programs, just as state revenue funds state programs.
States use lottery proceeds much the same way tribes use gaming proceeds.
Over 120,000 direct jobs and 160,000 indirect jobs have been created nationwide. One half of the 4,500 casino employees were previously unemployed and 20 percent were receiving welfare. Two Wisconsin tribes report 30 percent drops in welfare caseloads as a result of casino jobs. For some 3,000 employees, their casino job is the family's sole source of income. Purchases by tribal gaming employees of food, housing, clothing, transportation, entertainment, and other everyday items support more than 900 indirect jobs, created by the increased sales that local businesses are experiencing.