Tribal-State compacts

Tribal-State compacts are formal agreements between Native American tribes and state governments that define how gaming activities, such as casinos, are regulated and shared. These compacts establish rules, revenue sharing, and jurisdiction to ensure legal operation and cooperation. They are necessary because tribes, as sovereign nations, manage gaming independently but must still coordinate with state laws. The compacts help balance tribal sovereignty with state interests, promote economic development, and prevent legal disputes over gaming activities on tribal lands.