Key Differences Between Tribal and Commercial Casinos
Some Games Are the Same But Regulations Aren’t
Diving into the World of Tribal Casinos
For years and years, the only place to play casino games was Las Vegas. If you wanted to play Blackjack for money, or any other such wagering fun you would have to go to the commercial casinos in Sin City.
In casino news, the gambling world has changed in a seismic way. There are online casinos, and in the brick-and-mortar category, you will find Tribal casinos. These are palaces that are built on sovereign lands owned by Native American tribes.
When it comes to gambling regulations, there are some major differences. Because the land the Tribal casino is based on is on land owned by Native Americans, they have the ability to operate in states where gambling otherwise would not be permitted. An example of a Tribal casino that grew out of this is Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT.
The operation is based on 240 acres of the Mohegan Tribe’s reservation. There is more than 360,000 square feet of gambling area on the space of the resort. Additionally, there are hotel rooms and a 12,000-seat arena.
This is just one example of Tribal-based casinos. In practicality, they are tax-exempt but also have a revenue-sharing relationship with the state. A commercial casino is a for-profit private business and is taxed by the United States in that manner.
How Many Casinos Are There in the USA?
There are 527 Tribal Casinos and 469 commercial shops in the U.S. To give one an idea of how powerful the Tribal casino business is, 500 Nations found nine of the top 10 largest casinos are owned by Native American tribes. One of the biggest casinos in the world is the WinStar World Casino in Oklahoma, with 600,000 square feet of gaming floor space.
There are 527 American Indian gaming operations in the United States. These are owned by 245 of the nation’s 574 federally-recognized tribes. These gaming tribes operate in 29 of the 50 states. The annual revenue from all Indian gaming exceeds $32 billion and represents 43% of all casino gaming revenue in the U.S. Overall, numbers suggest there are more than 1,000 casinos of some type in the United States.
Where Are Tribal Casinos Based?
Tribal casinos can be found in 30 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Land-based commercial casinos can be found in 27 states. Between crossovers, research shows that some form of land-based casino can be found in 44 states.
Overall, deciding whether to visit a Tribal or commercial casino comes down to the particular player or person. Each offers different forms of comfort and entertainment. However, when looking at what the gambling options are, do your homework and look into the size of the casino, how many tables, slots, or other games they have. In the end, the belief is the experience will be similar at a Tribal or commercial casino. There are more similarities than differences once you are on the casino floor and playing.
Comments (0)