Short answer: not necessarily. Tribal casinos follow federal law, their own tribal regulations, and (for full casino games) a compact with the state, not Nevada's rules. Games can look the same but work differently, and rules vary from one casino to the next.
How tribal gaming is regulated
Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (1988), games fall into three classes:
How tribal gaming is regulated
Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (1988), games fall into three classes:
- Class I: traditional or social games, regulated by the tribe only.
- Class II: bingo and similar games, including electronic bingo machines, and non-banked card games like poker where players compete against each other. These are regulated by the tribe with National Indian Gaming Commission oversight, with no state compact needed.
- Class III: "Vegas-style" games such as standard slots, house-banked blackjack, craps, roulette, and sports betting. These require a tribal-state compact, which can set which games are allowed and other terms.
- Class II "slots" often look like regular slots, but each spin is actually decided by a networked bingo game. Look for a small bingo card on the screen.
- Table rules differ. Blackjack payouts, dealer hitting or standing on soft 17, and craps odds vary by casino. That's true in Vegas too. Check the felt and the table placard before you sit down.
- Payback percentages aren't always published, and they vary by machine and venue. Be wary of anyone quoting exact numbers without a source.
- Age limits, alcohol, and sports betting depend on the tribe and the state.