South Dakota tribes are hosting a gaming summit during the annual Lakota Nation Invitational tournament in Rapid City.

The summit takes place Friday and Saturday. Speakers include National Indian Gaming Commission Chairman Phil Hogen, who is Oglala Sioux; Kurt Luger of the Great Plains Indian Gaming Association and Ernie Stevens Jr. of the National Indian Gaming Association.

Eight tribes operate casinos in the state. While the facilities don't generate huge revenues, they employ y more than 2,500 people and are seen as economic development engines.

"Indian gaming is the best economic development tool that ever came to Indian country," Hogen told The Rapid City Journal.

The tribes are somewhat hindered by their rural locations but also by the state's refusal to allow them to install more slot machines. The tribes are only able to operate about 1,600 slot machines while non-Indian gaming facilities have over 8,500 machines.

Get the Story:
Speakers to address tribal gambling issues (The Rapid City Journal 12/20)
Gambling major economic development tool for tribes (The Rapid City Journal 12/20)