Title 25, IndiansRelease 119-102
§2701 Findings
Title 25 › CHAPTER 29 — INDIAN GAMING REGULATION › § 2701
Summary
Many tribes run or allow gambling on their lands to raise money for tribal governments. Courts require the Secretary to review gaming management contracts, but there are no clear federal rules for approving them or for Indian gaming in general. U.S. policy supports tribal economic growth, self-reliance, and strong tribal governments. Tribes control gaming on their lands unless federal law or state criminal law bans it.
Full Legal Text
Title 25, §2701
Indians, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The Congress finds that—
(1)numerous Indian tribes have become engaged in or have licensed gaming activities on Indian lands as a means of generating tribal governmental revenue;
(2)Federal courts have held that section 81 of this title requires Secretarial review of management contracts dealing with Indian gaming, but does not provide standards for approval of such contracts;
(3)existing Federal law does not provide clear standards or regulations for the conduct of gaming on Indian lands;
(4)a principal goal of Federal Indian policy is to promote tribal economic development, tribal self-sufficiency, and strong tribal government; and
(5)Indian tribes have the exclusive right to regulate gaming activity on Indian lands if the gaming activity is not specifically prohibited by Federal law and is conducted within a State which does not, as a matter of criminal law and public policy, prohibit such gaming activity.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
25 U.S.C. § 2701
Title 25, Indians
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102