Native Americans and Gambling: living the legacy
Gambling in the lives and history of the Native Americans is very much different from the modern gambling that everyone knows. Gambling was a part of the Native American’s everyday life and it was there to mainly entertain and as source of recreation. Unlike most gamblers, the main focus is and will always be the object of winning.
Native Americans also believed that superstition had something to do with their games. They believe that the forces have some influence on the result of their games. This same force governs the life of all beings. The Native Americans also played the games on a mandatory basis and that no game should offend the guiding force.
With the arrival of the Europeans, the simplicity of the Native American’s games changed. The principles and the beliefs of the tribes were altered by the new rules governing the game. The mere use of stakes in order to participate in a gambling game was one major difference. The two sides of the game win or lose, were highly predominant in the European version.
Through the years, the beliefs and essence of the game has changed. The Native American’s source of recreation has now turned into source of income for their economy. The Native American tribes of California have agreed to some compacts that meant to divide the revenue, out of gambling, with other non-gambling Indian natives. The tribal government invests the collected revenue in providing for the needs and general welfare of the tribal folk. The Indian Gaming Regulation Act or IGRA was developed for the purpose of monitoring the process of creating these revenues and how they are spent.
The Native American economy has relied upon the gaming industry for it provides the main source of income for its communities. Many jobs were created and even small businesses thrive because of the gaming businesses that flourish in their communities. With the high revenue, the tribal community was able to utilize the proceeds for federal taxes, state income tax and social security.
With the proliferation of gambling as part of the Native American’s economy, there are still many concerns that needed to be addressed. Such as the teenagers’ welfare and protection from the readily-available staple provider which is gambling. Many concerned parties have put up the effort of protecting the youth of Native American tribes. The tribal government as well as the media have played important role in educating the tribal communities. The effort has been extended even to non-Native Americans.
Gambling has played an important role in shaping the lives of the Native Americans. It has totally evolved and turned to a different direction, much different to what their ancestors have played many years ago. Nevertheless, gambling will always be part of these people’s lives no matter how and where it may lead them. | 
