"The California Nations Indian Gaming Association recently set out to measure the positive impact that tribal government gaming has on the state and local economies. In Santa Barbara County alone, more than 1,700 people have jobs thanks to our tribal economic enterprises and tribal government operations. The double-digit unemployment rates seen in some North County communities would be even higher if it wasn’t for Chumash enterprises.

Beyond our county, the state’s tribal gaming operations are responsible for 52,000 jobs, with more than 30,000 related directly to gaming operations and 22,000 in the broader economy. Put another way, gaming generates nearly as many jobs as non-residential construction and apparel manufacturing in the state. This amounts to $2.7 billion in wages paid to California workers.

Some other figures to keep in mind: Tribal gaming every year contributes $467 million in tax revenues to state and local governments. Non-gaming related business operations contribute an additional $47 million."

Get the Story:
Richard Gomez: Gaming group’s study measures economic impact (The Solvang Valley News 8/30)

Related Stories:
Daniel Tucker/Steve Stallings: Economic impact of tribal gaming (08/09)
California tribes cite $7.5B economic impact from their casinos (08/08)