What You Need to Know About - Native Americans and Gambling


The term 'Gambling' is synonymous to 'Gaming'. Gaming or Gambling is deeply rooted in the life of Native Americans. If we probe into the history of life of Native Americans and gambling, we find that the kind of gambling that used to be there was strikingly different from the gambling in today's era. The literal meaning of the term 'gambling' did not apply in those days. The games were less of the play in which someone wins and the other loses but were more of the auspicious ceremonies that were a part of every Native American's life.

The Native Americans used to play games in an amicable fashion to have a joyful pastime. They were not so much concerned in framing the winning strategies but their chief purpose was to enjoy. Besides amusement Native Americans had some superstitions attached to their games too. For instance they were of the opinion that the force or power that guides and determines the result if their game is the force that regulates the entire cosmos. This force is responsible for the events in the life of all living beings as well as for the course of the Mother Nature. Thus it was sort of mandatory for them to play. It was also thought that not playing the games might offend the guiding force.

But this simplicity of the tradition was mutilated and reformed by the Europeans. The Europeans enclosed these austere games under the ambit of 'gambling' where the men who play are not participants in any ceremony but are 'gamblers'. These gamblers put something at stake to get something more in return. Thus for the Europeans these games had just one meaning and interpretation- gamble i.e. to win or to lose.

Time has changed and so the people, the styles and reasons to play games, the awareness of these games?all have taken a new dimension. The games that used to be modes of entertainment now have a special and significant contribution to their economy. The tribal government of California and some tribes there has signed or has agreed to certain compacts. These compacts are meant to provide sharing of money in the form of revenue with the other Indian and non-gaming tribes. The revenues so collected by the tribal government are invested in the general welfare of the tribal people like building houses for them, education, health and hygiene, water and food facilities etc. The IGRA or Indian Gaming Regulation Act plays an important role in this area. For it is meant to monitor the manner in which the revenues obtained from the gaming industry's profits, are spent by the tribal governments. The gaming industry is acknowledged as the most flourishing Indian economic enterprise available to the Native Americans. The consequences trickle down further as nearly 2.7 billion dollar proceeds were utilized in paying federal taxes, 1.8 million is for the state income taxes and 2.8 billion is handed over to social security. Not just this but the revenue has also helped tremendously in creating new jobs and so settling employment for the unemployed.

Thus the surrounding communities and their small economies are also largely benefited by this industry.

However, there always remains a threat of the Native American people especially youngsters falling in the trap of several abuses like drug abuse, alcohol and the like.

To alleviate this menace the tribal governments and also the media have arranged several programs that educate the Native as well as the non-Native Americans of the perils of gambling addiction.

The gaming is profoundly embedded in the life of Native Americans. Its maintenance and continuance helps the younger generations in knowing the tastes and richness of the older ones. The gaming is so well nurtured and kindled by the Native Americans like a mother cares and encourages her child throughout her life.

Suresh gupta writes about native americans and gambling topics. Learn more at http://www.nativeamericanbets.com.







Related News



Financial problems hit Atlantic City's casinos - Forbes

Financial problems hit Atlantic City's casinos
Forbes, NY -21 hours ago
The two-year, $10 million loan is backed by a mortgage on Resorts, Atlantic City's first casino, which opened in 1978 to begin the era of legalized gambling...

Gaming industry wobbles in economic storm - Kansas City Star

Gaming industry wobbles in economic storm
Kansas City Star, MO -Nov 18, 2008
Third-quarter numbers in the nation's 12 commercial casino gambling states are not encouraging, Fahrenkopf added, with gross revenues of $8.4 billion down ...
AGA Head Whistles Past Las Vegas Casinos GraveyardOnline Casino Advisory
Gaming revenues tumble nationwideLas Vegas Review - Journal
Big trouble for small casinos, industry head saysInternational Herald Tribune
Casino City Times - KTVN
all 61 news articles

Some winning nondestination casinos - Boston Herald

Online Casino Reports

Some winning nondestination casinos
Boston Herald, United States -Nov 17, 2008
Thirty-seven states now have some form of casino gambling, and too often, more has not translated to better. Frequently, nondestination casinos - which are ...
With Smoking Ban Lifted, Atlantic City Casinos On The SpotCasino Gambling Web
Gambling With LivesNew York Times
After 1-month break, smoking is back in AC casinosForbes
Online Casino Sphere - TheDenverChannel.com
all 321 news articles

Philly's Chinatown Fights On To Stop Casino Development - Pacific Citizen

Pacific Citizen

Philly's Chinatown Fights On To Stop Casino Development
Pacific Citizen, CA -17 hours ago
"I'm concerned about the proposed casino because of effects that gambling does to the life of individuals, family and community. I've seen families broken ...

Macau feels pain as casino winning streak ebbs - Reuters

Straits Times

Macau feels pain as casino winning streak ebbs
Reuters -Nov 20, 2008
After a golden streak since 2002, which saw Macau transformed from a sleepy former Portuguese colonial backwater into a Las Vegas-style gambling paradise, ...
Macau losing gambling betFinancial Post
Macau's hot streak shows signs of coolingIBTimes Hong Kong
Sands blames Beijing and Macau for halt on casino project: reportAFP
The Associated Press - Casino Gambling Web
all 264 news articles

Macau's visitor arrivals rose 8 pct in October - The Associated Press

Gambling911.com

Macau's visitor arrivals rose 8 pct in October
The Associated Press -Nov 21, 2008
Macau, the only place in China where casino gambling is legal, has overtaken Las Vegas as the world's biggest gambling center. It received 25.2 million ...
Macau’s visitor arrivals jump 8pct in OctoberLas Vegas Sun
all 85 news articles

Comps at Atlantic City casinos getting rarer - BusinessWeek

Comps at Atlantic City casinos getting rarer
BusinessWeek -Nov 21, 2008
Harvey Perkins, senior vice president of Spectrum Gaming Group, a casino consulting firm, said comps are down by about the same percentage as the casinos' ...


Gambling: Shooting craps - Topeka Capital Journal

Gambling: Shooting craps
Topeka Capital Journal, KS -Nov 19, 2008
Then came reports that gross revenues in the nation's 12 commercial casino gambling states were down 4.6 percent in the first three quarters of this year ...
Sumner Co. still prime site for casinoThe Wichita Eagle
all 7 news articles

Kansas AG clears commissioners in video flap - Forbes

Kansas AG clears commissioners in video flap
Forbes, NY -20 hours ago
In September, Penn National Gaming Inc. (nasdaq: PENN - news - people ) walked away from its Cherokee County casino contract, saying it couldn't compete ...

Macau Promises To Protect Their Casino Gambling Interests - Casino Gambling Web

BBC News

Macau Promises To Protect Their Casino Gambling Interests
Casino Gambling Web, FL -Nov 11, 2008
The territory has become the casino gambling leader and plans on staying on top. "If necessary, the government will take over. we will not allow any casinos ...
11000 face sack in Macau as Sands struggles for cashAFP
Macau gaming suffers in struggling economyCasino City Times
Dark Days Ahead for Asia's Las Vegas?TIME
Aljazeera.net - Times Online
all 483 news articles