by Anthony Layng

About the author: Anthony Layng is a professor of anthropology at Elmira College in New York.

The number of Indian-owned casinos has grown rapidly in recent years and is likely to expand a great deal more in the near future. To understand why so many Native Americans have opted to go into the gaming business and anticipate where this pursuit is likely to lead them, one must view this development as the latest chapter of a long history of economic competition. Indians have competed with non-Indians ever since Europeans began to settle in America, but never before have they had such a conspicuous advantage.

Presently, there are more than 170 high-stakes bingo halls and casinos operating on Indian-owned land in 19 states. Many others are in the planning stage, and more are being promoted. These gaming establishments...