At the time the IGRA passed, there were already Indian casinos operating in Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Washington.
In 1989, the Mohawks opened three casinos on their reservation in upstate New York with four- and six-deck blackjack games and betting limits up to $200. Despite the IGRA, local authorities and the FBI immediately closed them down. The state had no argument with the blackjack games, but insisted the casino had no right to operate slot machines. The casinos immediately reopened and prepared for a long legal battle over their rights as a sovereign nation. It got ugly. There were shootings and vandalism. But in the end, as had been the case everywhere else, the Indians won.
In 1990, both Minnesota and Wisconsin Indian reservations began opening casinos with little opposition from authorities. State officials were beginning to realize that it was useless to fight the Indians on this issue. The public supported the Indians and the media made the outside officials look bad if they attempted to interfere with the Indians’ peaceful casino operations. Today, both Minnesota and Wisconsin have more than a dozen Indian reservation casinos.
Apr 13
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