Indian tribes may only game on Indian lands that are eligible for gaming under the Indian Gaming Reguatory Act. Such lands must meet the definition of “Indian lands” at 25 U.S.C. § 2703, which requires that the land be within the limits of a tribe’s reservation, be held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the tribe or its member(s), or that the land be subject to restrictions against alienation by the United States for the benefit of the tribe or its member(s). Additionally, the tribe must have jurisdiction and exercise governmental powers over the gaming site.
The IGRA, 25 U.S.C. § 2719, contains a general prohibition against gaming on lands acquired into trust after October 17, 1988 (the date the IGRA was enacted into law). Tribes may game on such after-acquired trust land if the land meets one of the exceptions laid out in § 2719. Indian lands opinions are issued by either the Commission or the Department of the Interior, Division of Indian Affairs, Office of the Solicitor. Below are the Indian lands advisory opinions issued by the NIGC and the Department of the Interior on whether a tribe may game on certain lands.
| Tribe | Parcel | Legal Theory | Theory Accepted | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscogee (Creek) Nation | Okmulgee County, OK | Within Boundaries of Reservation / Indian Lands Oklahoma | Yes | 05/14/2019 |
| Muscogee (Creek) Nation | River Spirit Triangle, Tulsa County, OK | Within Boundaries of the Reservation | Yes | 05/14/2019 |
| Ponca Tribe of Nebraska | Carter Lake, Pottawattamie County, Iowa | Restored Lands | Yes | 04/30/2019 |
| Big Lagoon | Humboldt County, CA | Indian Lands | Yes | 10/04/2018 |
| Ponca Tribe of Nebraska | Carter Lake, Pottawattamie County, Iowa | Restored Lands | Yes | 11/13/2017 |
| Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians | Pine Crest Parcel, Redwood Valley, Mendocino County, CA | Contiguous to Reservation | Yes | 10/30/2017 |
| Kialegee Tribal Town | Broken Arrow, Oklahoma | Jurisdiction | No | 06/21/2017 |
| Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma | Noble County, Oklahoma | Settlement of Land Claim | Yes | 01/25/2017 |
| Pinoleville Pomo Nation | Kandy Parcel, Mendocino County, CA | Within Reservation Boundaries | Yes | 09/28/2015 |
| Quapaw Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma | Quapaw Strip Parcel, Cherokee County, KS | Last Recognized Reservation | Yes | 11/21/2014 |
| Mechoopda Indian Tribe of the Chico Rancheria | Chico Parcels, Butte County, CA | Restored Lands | Yes | 01/24/2014 |
| Table Mountain Rancheria | 60 acre parcels, Fresno county, CA | Contiguous to reservation | Yes | 01/10/2014 |
| Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head | Cranberry Lands, Face of the Cliff and Herring Creek Parcels, Dukes County, MA | Settlement of a Land Claim | Yes | 10/25/2013 |
| Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head | Cranberry Lands, Face of the Cliff and Herring Creek Parcels, Dukes County, MA | Settlement of a Land Claim | Yes | 08/23/2013 |
| Kialegee Tribal Town | Neal Freeman parcel | Jurisdiction | No | 07/18/2013 |
| Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma | Ottawa County, Oklahoma | Former Within Reservation Boundaries | Yes | 08/09/2012 |
| Kialegee Tribal Town | Broken Arrow, Oklahoma | Jurisdiction | No | 06/08/2012 |
| Kialegee Tribal Town | Broken Arrow, Oklahoma | Jurisdiction | No | 05/25/2012 |
| Karuk Tribe of California | Yreka Parcel, Siskiyou County, CA | Restored lands | Yes | 04/09/2012 |
| United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians | Tahleqhah, Oklahoma site | Within Reservation Boundaries | No | 07/18/2011 |
| Redding Rancheria | Strawberry Fields and Adjacent 80 Acres, Shasta County, CA | Restored Lands | No | 12/22/2010 |
| Bay Mills Indian Community | Vanderbilt Site, Otsego, MI | Michigan Indian Lands Claims Settlement | No | 12/21/2010 |
| Bay Mills Indian Community | Vanderbilt Site, Otsego, MI | Indian Lands | No | 12/21/2010 |
| Shawnee Tribe of OK | Oklahoma City Parcels, Oklahoma County, OK | Restored Lands | No | 11/10/2010 |
| Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma | Whitecloud Allotment, Lincoln County, OK | Indian Lands Oklahoma | Yes | 01/07/2010 |
| Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma | Akela Flats, Luna County, NM | Restored Lands | No | 04/30/2009 |
| Seneca Nation of Indians | Buffalo parcels, Erie County, NY | After Aquired Land | Yes | 01/20/2009 |
| Muscogee (Creek) Nation | Kellyville Parcel, Creek City, OK | Indian Lands Oklahoma | Yes | 01/06/2009 |
| Muscogee (Creek) Nation | Twin Hills Parcel, Okmulgee County, OK | Indian lands Oklahoma | Yes | 01/06/2009 |
| Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo Indians | Cloverdale Parcels, Sonoma City CA | Restored Lands | Yes | 12/12/2008 |
| Lower Lake Rancheria Koi Nation | Purvis Tract, Lake County, CA | Restored Lands | No | 10/07/2008 |
| Pueblo of Nambe | Tract 1 – Cuyamungue Grant, Santa Fe County, NM | Contiguous to Reservation | Yes | 09/19/2008 |
| Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe | Halberg Addition, Clallam County, WA | Contiguous Lands | Yes | 07/11/2008 |
| Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma | Akela Flats, Luna County, NM | Last Recognized Reservation | No | 05/19/2008 |
| Poarch Band of Creek Indians | Tallapoosa Site, Montgomery County, Ala | Restored Lands | Yes | 05/19/2008 |
| Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma | Akela Flats, Luna County, NM | Restored Lands | No | 05/19/2008 |
| Muscogee (Creek) Nation | Holdenville Site, Hughes County, OK | Jurisdiction | Yes | 04/23/2008 |
| Ponca Tribe of Nebraska | Carter Lake, Pottawattamie County, Iowa | Restored Lands | Yes | 12/31/2007 |
| Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake | Highway 20 Site, Lake County, CA | Restored Lands | Yes | 11/21/2007 |
| Mooretown Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California | Feather Falls Site, Butte County, CA | Restored Lands | Yes | 10/25/2007 |
| Ponca Tribe of Nebraska | Carter Lake, Pottawattamie County, Iowa | Restored Lands | No | 10/22/2007 |
| Elk Valley Rancheria | Martin’s Ranch, Del Norte County, CA | Restored Lands | Yes | 07/13/2007 |
| Seneca Nation of Indians | Buffalo parcels, Erie County, NY | Settlement of a Land Claim | Yes | 07/02/2007 |
| Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma | Original Comanche allotment in Former Kiowa Comanche, Apache Reservation | Settlement Agreement | Yes | 03/08/2007 |
| Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians | St. Ignace Parcel, Mackinac County, MI | Contiguous to Reservation | No | 12/08/2006 |
| Big Sandy Rancheria | McCabe Allotment, Fresno County, CA | Indian Lands | Yes | 09/06/2006 |
| Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians | St. Ignace Parcel, Mackinac County, MI | Restored Lands | No | 09/01/2006 |
| Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians | St. Ignace Parcel, Mackinac County, MI | Restored Lands | No | 07/31/2006 |
| Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians | St. Ignace Parcel, Mackinac County, MI | Contiguous to Reservation | No | 02/14/2006 |
| Cowlitz Tribe | Clark County, WA | Restored Lands | Yes | 11/23/2005 |
| Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma | Cotton County, OK | Indian Lands Oklahoma | Yes | 11/15/2005 |
| Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe | Crosby Lodge, Washoe County, NV | Within Reservation Boundaries | Yes | 09/27/2005 |
| Osage Nation | North Tulsa, Bartlesville, Osage County, OK | Within Reservation Boundaries | Yes | 07/28/2005 |
| Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians | Amador County, CA | Within Reservation Boundaries | Yes | 06/30/2005 |
| White Earth Band of Chippewa Indians | White Earth, MN | Within Reservation Boundaries | Yes | 03/14/2005 |
| Puyallup Tribe | Fife Property, Pierce County, WA | Within Reservation Boundaries | Yes | 11/12/2004 |
| Puyallup Tribe | Fife Property, Pierce County, WA | Jurisdiction | Yes | 11/12/2004 |
| Karuk Tribe of California | Yreka Parcel, Siskiyou County, CA | Restored Lands | No | 10/12/2004 |
| Wyandotte Nation | Shriner Tract, Wyandotte County, KS | Settlement of a Land Claim | No | 09/10/2004 |
| Wyandotte Nation | Shriner Tract, Wyandotte County, KS | Last Recognized Reservation | No | 09/10/2004 |
| Wyandotte Nation | Shriner Tract, Wyandotte County, KS | Restored Lands | No | 09/10/2004 |
| Wyandotte Nation | Shriner Tract, Wyandotte County, KS | Settlement of a Land Claim | No | 07/19/2004 |
| Wyandotte Nation | Shriner Tract, Wyandotte County, KS | Last Recognized Reservation | No | 07/19/2004 |
| Wyandotte Nation | Cherokee County, Oklahoma | Indian Lands Oklahoma | No | 07/19/2004 |
| Shingle Springs Rancheria | Meldrum Parcel, El Dorado County, CA | Within Reservation Boundaries | Yes | 11/25/2003 |
| Shingle Springs Rancheria | Meldrum Parcel, El Dorado County, CA | Indian Lands | Yes | 11/25/2003 |
| Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan | Wayland Township Parcels, Allegan County, MI | Initial Reservation of Acknowledged Tribe | Yes | 06/25/2003 |
| Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo | River Rock Casino Site, Sonoma County, CA | Within Reservaton Boundaries | Yes | 04/09/2003 |
| Mechoopda Indian Tribe of the Chico Rancheria | Chico Parcels, Butte County, CA | Restored Lands | Yes | 03/14/2003 |
| Ponca Tribe of Nebraska | Crofton, Knox County, NE | Restored Lands | Yes | 11/22/2002 |
| Seneca Nation of Indians | Buffalo parcels, Erie County, NY | Settlement of a Land Claim | Yes | 11/12/2002 |
| Miami Tribe of Oklahoma | Maria Christiana Reserve, KS | Jurisdiction | No | 10/31/2002 |
| Bear River Band Rohnerville Rancheria | Humboldt County, CA | Restored Lands | Yes | 08/05/2002 |
| Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians | Riverboat gaming; undesignated water | Jurisdiction | No | 04/01/2002 |
| United Auburn Indian Community | Resultant Parcel B, Placer County, CA | Restored Lands | Yes | 01/03/2002 |
| Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians | Hatch Tract, Lane City, OR | Restored lands | Yes | 12/05/2001 |
| Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians | Madera, CA | Within Reservation Boundaries | Yes | 12/03/2001 |
| Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians | Turtle Creek Site, Grand Traverse County, MI | Restored Lands | Yes | 08/31/2001 |
| Delaware Tribe of Western Oklahoma | Biscuit Hill Site, Caddo County, OK | Indian Lands Oklahoma | No | 07/30/2001 |
| Delaware Tribe of Western Oklahoma | Biscuit Hill Site, Caddo County, OK | Contiguous to other Trust or Restricted Lands | No | 07/30/2001 |
| Nottawaseppi Huron Potawatomi Band | Sackrider Property, Calhoun County, MI | Initial Reservation | Yes | 12/13/2000 |
| United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians | Keetoowah Cherokee Casino Site | Jurisdiction | No | 09/29/2000 |
| Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians | Unspecified land | Restored Lands | Yes | 04/18/2000 |
| Organized Village of Kake | Harris Deed Parcel, Petersburg, AK | Indian Lands | Yes | 04/18/2000 |
| Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians | Madera, CA | Within Reservation Boundaries | Yes | 03/02/2000 |
| Elk Valley Rancheria | Betty Green Trust Land, Del Norte County, CA | Indian Lands / Restored Lands | Yes | 03/02/2000 |
| United Auburn Indian Community | Resultant Parcel B, Placer County, CA | Restored Lands | Yes | 01/18/2000 |
| Delaware Tribe of Western Oklahoma | Unknown | Within Reservation Boundaries | No | 12/22/1999 |
| Delaware Tribe of Western Oklahoma | Unknown | Jurisdiction | No | 12/22/1999 |
| Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians | Hatch Tract, Lane City, OR | Restored Lands | No | 10/21/1999 |
| Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians | Hatch Tract, Lane City, OR | Contiguous to Reservation | No | 10/21/1999 |
| Alturas Rancheria | Modoc County, CA | Pre-IGRA Trust Acquisiton | Yes | 09/09/1999 |
| Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians | Victories Tract, Emmet County, MI | Restored Lands | Yes | 08/05/1999 |
| Miami Tribe of Oklahoma | Maria Christiana Reserve, KS | Governmental Power | Yes | 11/10/1998 |
| Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians | Sho-Ka-Wah Casino Site, Mendocino County, CA | Within Reservation Boundaries | Yes | 09/02/1998 |
| Organized Village of Kake | Harris Deed Parcel, Petersburg, AK | Indian lands | Yes | 07/02/1998 |
| Little River Band of Ottawa Indians | Manistee Orchard, Manistee County, MI | Restored Lands | Yes | 03/16/1998 |
| Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians | Mackinaw City Tract, Emmet County, MI | Restored Lands | Yes | 11/12/1997 |
| Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians | Unspecified Parcels, Michigan and Indiana | Restored Lands | Yes | 09/19/1997 |
| Native Village of Barrow - Appeal to Commission | Unspecified parcel | Governmental Power | No | 08/12/1997 |