The recent growth in tribal casinos has brought up the issue of problem gambling into the public debate. National Problem Gambling Awareness Week purpose was to raise awareness to recognizing and dealing with problem gambling amongst gamblers and their family.
Since the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, both tribes and states have enjoyed the benefits of tribal casinos revenues. But, it created a rise in problem gambling. Different states and different tribes found different ways to deal with the issue. The Hopi and Navajo tribes, for example, have constantly resisted opening casinos on their reservations.
According to Louis Pitt, director of governmental affairs with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs said his tribe donates to programs that address problem gambling at the tribe and statewide.
