While Nevada is famous globally, the vast majority of physical casino locations in the United States are actually located on tribal lands.

The existence of these massive tribal resorts is the result of decades of complex legal battles and federal legislation.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act Explained

The modern era of tribal gaming officially began with the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) in 1988.

Class II gaming encompasses bingo and electronic games that function mathematically like bingo, requiring very little state oversight.

• The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) is the federal agency tasked with regulating and auditing these massive tribal operations
• Before a tribe can build a Class III casino, they must prove historical ties to the specific land where the resort will be constructed
• The revenue generated is legally required to be used for tribal government operations, charitable donations, or the general welfare of the tribe

Class II vs. Class III Machines: The Hidden Difference

This is because Class II slot machines are not actually slot machines at all; they are high-speed, electronic bingo games in disguise.

In a Class II tribal machine, pressing ‘Spin’ enters you into a networked game of bingo against everyone else playing in the casino.

From the massive Foxwoods Resort in Connecticut to small bingo halls in the Midwest, tribal gaming is incredibly diverse.