Arizona sees second consecutive quarter of growth in tribal gaming revenue

Thursday, August 3, 2017

The Gila River Indian Community owns and operates floor at the Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino in Chandler, Arizona. Photo: DK Hong

The tribal gaming industry is showing signs of renewed growth in Arizona.

For the quarter ending June 30, tribal revenues were up 4.8 percent, the Associated Press reported. That marks the second consecutive quarter of growth, following a series of downturns.

Tribes share a percentage of their Class III revenues with the state. As of May 2017, they contributed more than $1.28 billion, according to the Department of Gaming.

Tribes currently offer Class III games at 24 facilities, according to the department. The number will grow by one after the Tohono O'odham Nation converts its Class II facility into a Class III one, thanks to a new compact that was approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs last month.

Gross gaming revenues in 2016 by region. Source: National Indian Gaming Commission

According to the National Indian Gaming Commission, revenues in the region that includes Arizona grew 4.4 percent in 2016. That beat the 3.7 percent growth rate in 2015 and the negative growth rate (-1.1 percent) in 2014.

“The success reflected in the 2016 gross gaming revenue is due, at least in part, to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act’s promotion of tribal self-determination principles,” Chairman Jonodev O. Chaudhuri. of the NIGC said in a press release. Overall, tribal casinos took in $31.2 billion, an increase of 4.4 percent.

More detailed information about the 2016 gross gaming revenue can be found at nigc.gov/public-affairs/media-center.

Read More on the Story:
Arizona tribal casino gambling revenue up by 4.8 percent (AP 8/2)

Related Stories:
Tohono O'odham Nation secures approval of updated Class III casino deal (July 21, 2017)