IMPLICATIONS American Indian gaming provokes strong sentiment whether on the reservation or off. As this study found, there are both positive and negative social impacts for reservations and their members. This im-pact obviously spills over into non-Indian communities. American Indian gaming has brought Indian and non-Indian cultures colliding together socially and economically. The implications for social policy are numerous. Social policy mak-ers, whether tribal or mainstream, could work to counter some of the negative influences of gaming. This could be done by mandating a redistribution of a percentage of gaming income towards gambling abuse prevention and treatment programs; funding non-gaming family and community activities –especially those with a focus on traditional American Indian culture; and by the development of appropriate child care. Additionally, mandated research that is culturally appropriate needs to be sponsored by tribal groups to focus on the social impact of gaming in reservation communities with special attention paid to the potential long term effects on American Indian culture and traditions. Is Indian gaming the "new buffalo" or will it erode traditional Ameri-can Indian culture further? Only time will tell. REFERENCES

Abstract

IMPLICATIONS American Indian gaming provokes strong sentiment whether on the reservation or off. As this study found, there are both positive and negative social impacts for reservations and their members. This im-pact obviously spills over into non-Indian communities. American Indian gaming has brought Indian and non-Indian cultures colliding together socially and economically. The implications for social policy are numerous. Social policy mak-ers, whether tribal or mainstream, could work to counter some of the negative influences of gaming. This could be done by mandating a redistribution of a percentage of gaming income towards gambling abuse prevention and treatment programs; funding non-gaming family and community activities –especially those with a focus on traditional American Indian culture; and by the development of appropriate child care. Additionally, mandated research that is culturally appropriate needs to be sponsored by tribal groups to focus on the social impact of gaming in reservation communities with special attention paid to the potential long term effects on American Indian culture and traditions. Is Indian gaming the "new buffalo" or will it erode traditional Ameri-can Indian culture further? Only time will tell. REFERENCES