Now, many tribes are cutting into their own reserves to keep casinos, often their economic lifeblood, above water, while also keeping thousands employed and with health care.
More than half of those are on Native American land, where the facilities supplement chronically underfunded health and education programs. Nearly 1,000 casinos across the country have closed since coronavirus hit the U.S., according to the American Gaming Association. It's a tremendous hit,' said Jason Salsman, a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation and the tribe's communications director.
When Muscogee Creek Nation, the nation's fourth-largest tribe, closed its casinos six weeks ago, that suddenly halted a revenue stream that provided school clothes for children, support for the elderly and health care for thousands.
