In just twenty years, the Native American state of affiars has changed from dependant to independent. This is because of casinos and gaming legislation.
It would be easy to assume that the IGRA and the resulting economic benefits have remedied the disparities between Indians and non-Indians. One could even argue that some tribes are better off than the white communities surrounding them--a point which has generated a sense of animosity among some non-Indian casino owners. Economically speaking, these tribes have reaped the benefits of this legislation. However, the IGRA does not represent an ill-balanced system of justice. The surrounding communities did not have to fight seemingly endless legal battles and appeal to the Supreme Court in order to establish these businesses. They did not encounter delays and challenges to their status as sovereign territories. The IGRA simply protects the rights of Native Americans states and their unique status within the American system. It moves them from dependant territories to self-sufficient communities; communities which provide economic stimulus to the surrounding businesses as well. If the IGRA represents an unfair advantage towards the tribes, that advantage has most certainly benefited non-Indian areas as well. The IGRA is the least the American government can do.
