This myth is a recent one due to the growth of
Indian gaming. However, only a handful of Indian tribes have gaming.
Success of gaming relates to the geographic location of tribes in
relationship to population centers and Interstate highways as well as
the legal environment of the states in which they are located. Less
than one-third of the 560 Indian tribes are involved in gaming and only
10% of these are extremely profitable. Regardless of how small the
scale, gaming has enabled these tribes to generate revenues to provide
essential governmental services. Such services may include educational
programs and scholarships, expanded health and community services for
children and senior citizens, diversified economic development,
improved court systems and the development of cultural institutions
like museums.
