The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and Its Effects on American Indian Economic Development

Randall Akee, Katherine A. Spilde and Jonathan B. Taylor

Journal of Economic Perspectives, 2015, vol. 29, issue 3, 185-208

Abstract: The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), passed by the US Congress in 1988, was a watershed in the history of policymaking directed toward reservation-resident American Indians. IGRA set the stage for tribal government-owned gaming facilities. It also shaped how this new industry would develop and how tribal governments would invest gaming revenues. Since then, Indian gaming has approached commercial, state-licensed gaming in total revenues. Gaming operations have had a far-reaching and transformative effect on American Indian reservations and their economies. Specifically, Indian gaming has allowed marked improvements in several important dimensions of reservation life. For the first time, some tribal governments have moved to fiscal independence. Native nations have invested gaming revenues in their economies and societies, often with dramatic effect.

JEL-codes: J15 K22 L51 L83 L88 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
Note: DOI: 10.1257/jep.29.3.185
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (15)

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