I was just asking a rhetorical question, Bigsky.
to get back to the original thread intent,
Tribal casinos are not taxable because they are government operations, rather than private, for-profit businesses. Tribal casinos are operated for a public purpose, just as a state lottery to raise revenues for various public programs and services. Federal law specifically prohibits states from imposing taxes on Indian gaming operations.
Problem is, many casinos are built from capital that comes from traditional sources. These sources need to make back their investment, so they get their cut first. Tribal government gets the last bit.
The basic benifit to the individual tribal member is a job. These are like jobs in a casino in LV or Atlantic city, dealing BJ, serving dinner, etc. While that is extremely important, I have never been overly exited about becoming a casino employee.
Back when Indian Motorcycle was being re invented, I advocated getting the factory built on Pima land in AZ. I thought Indians made by Indians would be a good fit, but my thoughts didn't get too far in tribal government. I would have much rather liked building motorcycles than restocking salad bars.
Now that Indians are not being made anymore, I may have another chance.