What is the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act?

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) is a federal law enacted in 1988 to provide a framework for the regulation of gaming by Native American tribes on tribal lands. IGRA was designed to promote tribal self-sufficiency and economic development while safeguarding the public’s interest in the integrity of gaming activities. The Act established the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) to regulate gaming activities on Indian lands and to provide technical assistance and guidance to tribes and other stakeholders. In Florida, the state negotiated compacts with seven federally-recognized tribes in 1990 that allowed them to operate gaming facilities on their reservations, such as casinos and bingo halls. These compacts were approved by the NIGC and made IGRA applicable in the state. The compacts determine the types of games that each tribe can offer, the maximum wager amounts allowed, and the requirement for tribes to pay a portion of their net gaming revenues to the state. IGRA creates a framework for classes I, II, and III gaming activities. Class I gaming includes traditional activities like ceremonial and social gaming that are conducted in accordance with tribal customs and regulations, while Class II gaming involves “bingo” and similar games. Class III extends to more commercial gaming activities, such as slot machines and house-banked card games. Overall, IGRA is an important law that provides a framework for Native American gaming activities in Florida and across the United States. It ensures that tribes receive the right to self-govern in their gaming activities while protecting the public from gaming on Indian land that is not legal or regulated under state and federal law.

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What is the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act?

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