Revenues up nearly 5% overall, up 20% in Region V

NIGC PUBLISHES TRIBAL GAMING DATA

This week the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) published the results of the audit reports it received from tribes conducting gaming operations during 2007. Variations in tribal fiscal years means that the audit reports from 382 Indian nations are received by the NIGC up to 10 June 2008. Data of regional revenues and graphics analysing the growth of tribal gaming have been released, showing that in 2007 Indian gaming operations generated US$26 billion, an increase of 4.53% on 2006.

Whilst Region II, which includes California and northern Nevada, still has the largest tribal gaming revenue of the NIGC’s six regions, growth was flat with a 1.6% increase to US$7.8 billion. Region V (Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas) generated revenues of US$2.6 billion, up 20% from 2006 figures. This region has more than doubled revenues in the three years from 2004 to 2007 and added 13 new gaming operations.

In 2006 Region IV (Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming) had the largest number of operations with 122, which have now been reduced to 109. Gaming revenue in the Region still increased by 3.6% last year. There are 382 tribal gaming operations at present, twelve fewer than in 2006. Just 6% of the operations make US$250 million and over, 47% of total revenues. The largest percentage (33%) makes under US$10 million annually, only 2% of total revenues.

Paul N Hogen, NIGC Chairman, said, “The continued growth is significant considering recent economic struggles throughout the country. Indian gaming continues to be an important factor in local economies by providing much needed jobs throughout Indian country and other economic development.” He added, “The Indian gaming industry has experienced tremendous growth since the inception of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) twenty years ago in 1988 when the Indian gaming industry saw revenues of $200 million, to now over $26 billion in 2007.” (E-06.20.07)

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