What is the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act?
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) is a federal law that was established in 1988 to regulate the gaming activities of Native American tribes in order to protect the integrity of Native American sovereignty and the community. The IGRA defines gaming as gambling activities including bingo, lottery, slot machines, and card games, among other games. This Act also states that tribal gaming activities have to be approved by the Secretary of the Interior, by the state(s) where the gaming is taking place, and by the tribe(s) themselves. In the state of Washington, the IGRA established the Tribal-State Compacts which grant tribes the authority to conduct gaming activities in their respective Native American reservations. Under the Compacts, tribes in Washington are able to operate some gaming operations such as bingo, pull-tabs, and electronic card games, among others. The Washington State Gambling Commission is tasked with regulating and overseeing the operations of tribal gaming facilities. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act has not only been critical for the development of Native American tribes in Washington, but it has also been important for their economic development. The revenue generated from tribal gaming is used to fund projects and programs that benefit tribal members and their communities. Additionally, the IGRA has provided tribes with the opportunity to create economic independence while preserving their cultural and traditions.
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