"In California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, the court ruled that if a state permitted certain forms of gambling, tribes in that states could offer the same, without any regulatory control by the state.

Sensing that it might be in everyone's interests to bring some order to the potential chaos, Congress in the following year enacted the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. One provision required tribes to negotiate compacts with states if they wanted to operate Class III gaming operations -- better known as casinos.

The economic windfall that followed was not accidental. In his authoritative history of gambling, "Roll the Bones," David Schwartz writes: "In his decision, Justice Byron White declared that Indian gaming was actually a welcome opportunity for tribes to develop economically: Gambling, a proven winner in Nevada, New Jersey and most other states, would now be (tapped) to end centuries of tribal misfortune."

If tribal gambling has not reversed all the ills of Native Americans in the 20 years since, it has certainly accomplished far more than ventures in fishing or smoke shops or fireworks ever did. The Muckleshoot development is evidence of that. So, too, is the extensive retailing development the Tulalips have built near their reservation at Marysville.

"It is the only economic development tool that has ever worked on reservations, bringing increased economic benefits to Indians and non-Indians," the National Indian Gaming Association says."

Get the Story:
Bill Virgin: Court paved way for tribal wealth (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 5/31)