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The term ‘Gambling’ is synonymous to ‘Gaming’. Gaming or
Gambling is deeply rooted in the life of Native Americans. If we
probe into the history of life of Native Americans and gambling,
we find that the kind of gambling that used to be there was
strikingly different from the gambling in today’s era. The
literal meaning of the term ‘gambling’ did not apply in those
days. The games were less of the play in which someone wins and
the other loses but were more of the auspicious ceremonies that
were a part of every Native American’s life. The Native
Americans used to play games in an amicable fashion to have a
joyful pastime. They were not so much concerned in framing the
winning strategies but their chief purpose was to enjoy. Besides
amusement Native Americans had some superstitions attached to
their games too. For instance they were of the opinion that the
force or power that guides and determines the result if their
game is the force that regulates the entire cosmos. This force
is responsible for the events in the life of all living beings
as well as for the course of the Mother Nature. Thus it was sort
of mandatory for them to play. It was also thought that not
playing the games might offend the guiding force. But this
simplicity of the tradition was mutilated and reformed by the
Europeans. The Europeans enclosed these austere games under the
ambit of ‘gambling’ where the men who play are not participants
in any ceremony but are ‘gamblers’. These gamblers put something
at stake to get something more in return. Thus for the Europeans
these games had just one meaning and interpretation- gamble i.e.
to win or to lose. Time has changed and so the people, the
styles and reasons to play games, the awareness of these
games…all have taken a new dimension. The games that used to be
modes of entertainment now have a special and significant
contribution to their economy. The tribal government of
California and some tribes there has signed or has agreed to
certain compacts. These compacts are meant to provide sharing of
money in the form of revenue with the other Indian and
non-gaming tribes. The revenues so collected by the tribal
government are invested in the general welfare of the tribal
people like building houses for them, education, health and
hygiene, water and food facilities etc. The IGRA or Indian
Gaming Regulation Act plays an important role in this area. For
it is meant to monitor the manner in which the revenues obtained
from the gaming industry’s profits, are spent by the tribal
governments. The gaming industry is acknowledged as the most
flourishing Indian economic enterprise available to the Native
Americans. The consequences trickle down further as nearly 2.7
billion dollar proceeds were utilized in paying federal taxes,
1.8 million is for the state income taxes and 2.8 billion is
handed over to social security. Not just this but the revenue
has also helped tremendously in creating new jobs and so
settling employment for the unemployed. Thus the surrounding
communities and their small economies are also largely benefited
by this industry. However, there always remains a threat of the
Native American people especially youngsters falling in the trap
of several abuses like drug abuse, alcohol and the like. To
alleviate this menace the tribal governments and also the media
have arranged several programs that educate the Native as well
as the non-Native Americans of the perils of gambling addiction.
The gaming is profoundly embedded in the life of Native
Americans. Its maintenance and continuance helps the younger
generations in knowing the tastes and richness of the older
ones. The gaming is so well nurtured and kindled by the Native
Americans like a mother cares and encourages her child
throughout her life.
About Author :
Mansi gupta writes about native americans and
gambling topics.
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