Casinos run by Native Americans occupy a special place in the overall casino and gambling industry; because Indian reservations are considered independent nations, gambling is mostly unrestricted. Gaming is also a major source of desperately needed revenue for tribes struggling economically.

Because U.S. laws recognize certain forms of tribal sovereignty and self-government, native-owned casinos enjoy some immunity from direct regulation by individual states. However, tribal gaming operations must comply with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 and other federal laws.