Monthly Casino Compliance

In Indian Country, casino gaming has proven itself a powerful engine for economic development, job creation and social betterment. In 2008, Indian gaming stimulated 636,000 jobs nationwide, both at tribal enterprises and in related businesses. The revenues from tribal gaming establishments have been put to use funding a wide range of community benefits-from health care and job training programs to infrastructure and community safety initiatives-and continue to be a vital source of support in helping increase investment and development on reservations and helping address critical issues such as poverty and unemployment.

Though Indian gaming has returned significant rewards over the past two decades, it also has increased awareness among tribal leaders and tribal gaming operators about the need for programs addressing important issues such as problem and pathological gambling.

“Tribes really have a serious concern about any negative impacts of gambling,” says Eileen Luna Firebaugh, associate professor of American Indian Studies at the University of Arizona. “They want people to have fun and want it to be a popular place for the community, so they have gone far and beyond what’s expected of them with regard to responsible gaming.”

The implementation of responsible gaming programs is an important aspect of any casino gaming business, and the state governments that regulate gaming-either directly, in the case of commercial casinos, or through a tribal gaming compact-universally require a minimum level of responsible gaming efforts on the part of gaming entities.

Responsible gaming programs are designed to help educate employees, customers and the public about the risks of gambling and where to go for help with a gambling problem. They also can provide tips and information about ways to keep gambling fun-such as making it a social event with friends and family, gambling only for a limited period of time and setting a budget before beginning to gamble.

For commercial casinos, responsible gaming programs are a critical component of broader corporate social responsibility efforts. For tribes, the issue is one of community and tribal government social responsibility as well.

“In general, tribes have a strong commitment to responsible gaming because tribal gaming facilities are within their communities,” says Dr. Kate Spilde, chair of the Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming at San Diego State University. “The social expectations for tribal government are higher than they are for state and local governments. Since tribal gaming is established with a social purpose-to drive development and recovery-tribal leaders know it is important to acknowledge the potential problems associated with introducing a gaming facility into the community and to take measures to address those problems.”

Tribal Responsibility, Veronica Brown, Tribal Government Gaming 2010

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma shares in this Tribal responsibility, and in partnership with the Oklahoma Association on Problem Gambling and Gaming (OAPGG), works to increase awareness to the signs and symptoms of problem gambling, develop effective information and education materials, train all our gaming associates, and provide access to quality treatment programs and resources for those in need.

For more information, please see our Responsible Gaming brochure, located throughout all casino locations.