California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians

California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians was a 1987 U.S. Supreme Court case that determined that states cannot impose their gambling laws on tribal lands. The case arose when California tried to enforce its gambling regulations against the Cabazon Band, which wanted to operate bingo games. The Court ruled that tribes are sovereign entities with the authority to regulate their own affairs, including gambling, as long as their activities do not violate federal law. This decision helped strengthen tribal sovereignty and expanded opportunities for Indian gaming across the United States.