Indian gaming is estimated to generate more than $30 billion in gross gaming revenues annually. Indian gaming, and the legal act that regulates it, includes card games, machines such as slots, and gambling that often takes place in casinos. This industry has a substantial positive impact on the provision of governmental services to tribal and non-tribal communities. Indian gaming revenues support education, health care, housing, law enforcement, social services and a multitude of other services and infrastructure for tribal and surrounding communities.
Indian gaming is a highly regulated and specialized field in which tribes, gaming enterprises, federal entities, states and local governments have a demand for legal professionals to help them excel. The industry is evolving, with tribes increasingly managing gaming facilities of other tribes, and there’s been an influx of technological advancements in Indian gaming.
This Master of Legal Studies with an emphasis in Indian gaming teaches you how to navigate the Indian gaming industry’s challenges through an understanding of its intricacies and the associated legal, regulatory and policy factors involved. The lands are sovereign, and each reservation its own state. So, you must understand how the laws govern these areas and be able to navigate the legal hurdles.
How will this degree introduce me to Indian gaming law and casino management?
The Indian gaming emphasis of the Master of Legal Studies equips professionals with essential background in federal Indian law, Indian gaming law and comprehensive courses designed to secure employment relating to Indian gaming.
It is the only law program in the country that provides a graduate-level, in-depth curriculum covering all aspects of Indian gaming, including:
- Evolving trends in Indian gaming.
- Intergovernmental-agreements.
- The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).
- The legal history of Indian gaming.
- The role of tribal and federal regulatory agencies.
- Tribal-state compacts.
The program provides externship opportunities with prominent tribes, federal entities and gaming management entities in the Indian gaming industry.
What can I do with Indian gaming skills?
The Indian gaming industry is trending toward hiring executives who have multifaceted skills in federal Indian law plus other areas such as business and human resources. So, this Master of Legal Studies with an emphasis in Indian gaming is an ideal degree for those aspiring to work at the highest levels of Indian gaming but do not wish to be a lawyer.
Indian gaming degree emphasis graduates can find work with:
- Federal entities such as the Department of the Interior.
- Gaming enterprises.
- Inter-tribal organizations.
- Non-tribal entities that do business with tribes.
- States and municipalities that interact with tribes on regulatory and governance issues.
- The National Indian Gaming Commission.
- Tribes.
Graduates may serve as:
- Congressional staff.
- Federal, state and local employees.
- Senior or mid-level executives.
- Tribal officials responsible for overseeing their tribal gaming operations.
What is a degree emphasis? Is it the same as a concentration?
A degree program’s emphasis is similar to a concentration, but there are key differences.
- A concentration is a formalized selection of courses within a major. A concentration requires a minimum of 15 credit hours of which at least nine credit hours must be upper division. Your concentration appears on both your ASU diploma and your transcripts.
- An emphasis is a selected topic area defined within the major. It’s typically 9–12 credit hours and doesn’t need to be officially declared. The emphasis will not appear on your diploma or transcripts.
The Master of Legal Studies with an emphasis in Indian gaming provides in-depth knowledge of the nuances of Indian gaming and law. You’ll learn how to navigate the variety of real-world legal situations faced in the industry, and prepare for roles in casinos themselves, and government and tribal leadership positions.
The program features a number of law courses that will prepare you for navigating all the intricacies of Indian casino law and gaming.
The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law faculty has more than 300 combined years of experience. Hailing from across the country, they’re nationally recognized for their wealth of knowledge. Our world-class faculty provides comprehensive legal education in popular focus areas and addresses legal challenges on a global scale.
The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at ASU is one of the top schools in the nation, providing personalized and practical legal education. Offering more than 250 unique courses, students can tailor their educational experiences to meet their unique interests. Our bar passage achievements and peer-reviewed U.S. News & World Report rankings highlight our dedication to preparing students for success.
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specialty law programs ranked amongst the top 35 in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report
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best law schools, according to U.S. News & World Report
Applicants to the Master of Legal Studies program must fulfill the requirements of the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.
U.S.-educated applicants can apply through our FastApp process, which streamlines the application process and may allow for an offer of conditional admission to the MLS program while the applicant continues to submit any additional requested documentation. Find more information about the FastApp process here.
Possible outcomes from FastApp submission may include:
- Conditional admission.
- A request for supplementary documents.
- A request to complete the full MLS application with accompanying documents.
- Denial.
For the FastApp application to be considered complete, it must include:
- The complete MLS FastApp application form and the following uploaded documents:
- An unofficial transcript from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended.
- Resume that does not exceed three typed pages.
If a decision cannot be made from a FastApp, our admissions team may request additional information from an applicant, including any or all of the following:
- Writing sample.
- Explanations to affirmative answers to any conduct questions.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Transcripts from all institutions attended, including the transcript showing a bachelor's degree was conferred.
A minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of an applicant’s bachelor's program is preferred. Prospective students may earn admission with a cumulative GPA below 3.00 if the other assets included in the application package are strong, such as but not limited to:
- A personal statement that addresses a low GPA or inconsistent academic performance.
- Improved academic performance in subsequent degrees.
- Significant work history since completing a bachelor’s degree.
All applicants must submit:
- Graduate admission application.
- Official* transcripts.
- CV or resume.
*Transcripts can be unofficial through the FastApp process. Official transcripts reflecting degree conferral(s) will be required if an applicant is admitted.
If English isn’t your native language and you haven’t completed a bachelor’s degree or higher at a regionally accredited institution in the U.S., you must provide evidence of English proficiency.
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.” That’s because ASU Online students learn from the same faculty and receive the same course content as in-person students receive.
Please note your diploma will state the degree you earn: Master of Legal Studies. Your emphasis in Indian gaming will not appear on your diploma or transcripts.