Tribal gaming facilities took in $26.8 billion last year, representing a growth of 1.5 percent, according to the annual Indian Gaming Industry Report. California remained the largest market, with tribes taking in $7.3 billion in 2008. But that represented a decline of 6 percent, a sign of the national recession. "Indian gaming has definitely slowed down," economist Alan Meister told The North County Times. Oklahoma was the second-largest market, seeing almost $2.9 billion in revenues last year. That represented a growth of 18 percent in a state with the largest number of tribal gaming facilities in the nation. Florida also saw significant growth. The two tribes there took in $1.9 billion in 2008, an increase of 19 percent. Tribes in Michigan reported an increase as well, mainly due to new facilities coming on line. Revenues there were $1.2 billion, an 18 percent increase. Washington and New York also saw modest growth. In Washington, revenues were up 8.6 percent and in New York, they were up 3.5 percent. Tribes in other states saw declines: Connecticut tribal gaming revenues fell 5.3 percent, Arizona fell 6 percent, Minnesota fell 3.1 percent and Wisconsin fell 1.8 percent.
Get the Story:Slumping economy hits Indian casino industry (AP 12/10)
Report: Tribal casino revenues decline in California (The North County Times 12/10)
Tribal gaming down 6% in 2008 (The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat 12/10)
California Indian gaming revenues fall nearly 6 percent in 2008 (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 12/10)
TRIBAL CASINOS: Gaming revenue tight in 2008 (The Las Vegas Review-Journal 12/10)
Gambling pays off for tribes (The Tulsa World 12/10)
High-stakes games pay off for Seminole Tribe (The Tampa Tribune 12/10)
Tribes made $1.9B from gaming in '08 (Capitol Media Services 12/10)
Revenues take a hit at Indian casinos (The Cape Cod Times 12/10)
