As this story out of California reminds us, gaming helped bring many U.S. Indian Tribes out of poverty:
Until the advent of tribal gaming, reservations on which glimmering casinos stand today were mired in poverty.
San Manuel Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena recalled how as late as the 1950s, the 800-acre reservation near Highland did not have electricity or running water. Before the first bingo hall opened in 1986, most houses were made of rock. Many roads were unpaved. The entire annual tribal budget some years was $300. Jobs were scarce.
Here in Oklahoma, Tribal gaming has been an essential part of the growing economic success of our Indian Tribes, which today hold a variety of business interests, all with a substantial economic impact on the state.
Although many Tribes still suffer from years of abject poverty, Tribal gaming has helped set many on the path to prosperity. Key to OIGA’s mission is promoting the general welfare of the Oklahoma Indian Tribes, but also to share information about Tribal gaming with Tribal, state, and federal governments, as well as the general public.
In the coming weeks, this web site will promote not only the successes of Oklahoma Tribal gaming in keeping with OIGA’s vision and mission, but also to highlight the events leading up to and taking place at the trade show.
Please check back often for news and updates on Oklahoma’s Tribal gaming.