Why You Should Support Responsible Tribal Gaming 

YES! I Support Responsible Tribal Gaming in Texas. Keep Me Informed. 

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas has deep roots in the Lone Star State.  Proud Texans since the 1700s, Alabama-Coushatta members live on a 4,500-acre reservation near Livingston in Polk County.  The Alabama-Coushattas helped Texas settlers during the Texas Revolution.  Their friendship and assistance was recognized by Texas Presidents Sam Houston and Mirabeau Lamar, who worked to secure land for the tribe’s current reservation. 

Today, the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas shares the values of all Texans – those of God, family and country.  Tribal members serve in the active duty military, as their forefathers did.  Official tribal events are alcohol-free.  Tribal members are active members of their local churches, and they firmly believe in the ideals of personal responsibility. 

Economic and social challenges

Native Americans have the lowest college graduation rates and lowest family incomes among their fellow U.S. citizens.  At the same time, Native Americans have the highest unemployment rates, highest percentage of people living below the poverty level and the highest suicide rates in the country.  Of the nation’s 2.3 million Native Americans, more than 30 percent – or 700,000 – live in poverty.   

This story is no different for the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas.  Some startling statistics: 

• Forty-six percent of all eligible members of the Alabama-Coushatta are not employed on a full-time basis

• Only 1 percent of Tribal members on the reservation have a four-year college degree.

• Of the 513 Tribal members who live on the reservation, 147 suffer from diabetes.  Overall, the Tribe suffers from poor health care services.

• The median household income of the Alabama-Coushatta is $10,809.

However, allowing the Alabama-Coushattas to introduce limited gaming on their lands would allow the Tribe to provide housing for all tribal members . . . offer adequate health care for the Tribe . . . allow for the establishment of a college scholarship fund for Tribal young people . . .  and ensure we meet the special needs of our Tribal elders, such as meals, transportation and medical necessities.   

What is more, limited gaming on our lands would create new jobs for our Tribe, create new jobs for the citizens in the surrounding communities, and create economic opportunities where there are none today.   

Put simply, limited gaming on our lands would create hope for our future. 

How Can This Injustice Be Addressed?  

• It’s simple—the U.S. Congress or Texas Legislature can right this wrong.  Congress can and should amend the Tribes’ Restoration Acts to bring the Tribes under the IGRA. 

• Or, with the State Legislature set to convene in January, they can address the current inequity in state law to allow all recognized Texas Tribes the right to game.

$3,000,000,000 +

Texas residents’ out-of-state combined expenditures for gaming and destination products & services

A $3 billion revenue loss means less state and local tax revenues, less for Texas restaurants, hotels and other tourism-relates businesses.  Border state businesses, communities and governments are benefiting financially thanks to Texas gaming laws.

Texas residents are flocking to border state facilities, so they have no problem with the concept of gaming.  Public opinion polls show 66% of Texas voters favoring gaming on existing Texas Indian reservation when they learn how much gaming will help the Tribes and our state.

Source:  “Indian Gaming for Texas, Economics and Tax Revenues Study,” Dr. Ray Perryman and Dr. William Eadington, 2005

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