1988: Tribes open casinos; Congress steps in to regulate

As American Indian tribes begin opening casinos, Congress passes the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, requiring tribes operating gaming establishments to negotiate compacts with states, through which the tribes are often required to contribute a share of their revenues to pay for hospitals, police services, and fire protection in surrounding communities. American Indian tribes use revenues on their reservations to expand access to medical care, build clinics and wellness centers, buy ambulances, purchase mobile mammography equipment, and buy group health insurance policies for all American Indian tribal citizens.

Theme

Federal-Tribal Relations, Native Rights

Region

California, Great Basin, Great Plains, Northeast, Northwest Coast, Plateau, Southeast, Southwest