Tribal casinos took in $18.6 billion in revenues last year, the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) reported on Tuesday.

In a new publication, An Analysis of the Economic Impact of Indian Gaming in 2004, NIGA said tribal casinos saw a 10 percent growth last year. According to the figures, tribal casinos represent 7 percent of the $18.5 billion gaming industry, surpassing Nevada's $10.6 billion.

The $18.6 billion figure does not include wages, operating costs, federal and state taxes and other expenses. Based on federal taxes alone, tribal casinos generate more than the budgets of the Indian Health Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs combined.

In a separate study, Colgate University said the Oneida Nation's casino complex created the equivalent of 3,585 full-time jobs since 1992 while local businesses have created an additional 3,570 spinoff jobs. The tribe's payroll has grown from $44 million in 1993 to $110 million.

Get the Story:
U.S. tribal casinos won $18.5 bil in '04 (The Arizona Republic 2/16)
Indian gaming revenues up to $18.5 billion (The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel 2/16)
National Indian gaming group releases report of success story (The Reno Gazette-Journal 2/16)
Tribes tout casinos as boon to economy (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 2/16)
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Native casinos rake in nearly double take of Vegas (AP 2/16)
Oneidas' casino complex linked to job growth (The Syracuse Post-Standard 2/16)