Tribal casinos in Arizona are covered under the "strongest regulatory compact," the state's gaming director says.

The compact was signed in 2002 and allows the state to audit tribal books twice a year. The state also determines whether tribes are in compliance with the compact.

So far, no problems have turned up in any of the reviews, the state says. Through revenue-sharing, the tribes fund the state Gaming Department, which spends $8 million a year on regulation and about $1.6 million on background checks.

In addition, tribes spend their own money on regulation. The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community spend more than $4 million a year on two facilities.

In the fiscal year that ends June 30, tribes will have shared about $74 million with the state and local communities.

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Arizona's tribal gaming oversight a model plan (The Arizona Republic 5/2)