Mark Pilarski: Why are games different at some tribal casinos?

In 1988, Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to "provide a legislative basis for the operation/regulation of Indian gaming, protect gaming as a means of generating revenue for the tribes, encourage economic development of these tribes, and protect the enterprises from negative influences (organized crime).”

What the law also does is establish three categories of gaming — Class I, Class II, and Class III — with a different regulatory scheme for each.

Class I consists of traditional American Indian games, which may be part of tribal ceremonies and celebrations, and social games for minimal prizes. The tribes themselves have exclusive control over these games and are not subject to IGRA's regulations.

What you undoubtedly observed in your travels, Boyd, are the differences between Class II and Class III games.