Indian Gaming – NIGC 2006 Report

Indian gambling pulled in $25 billion in 2006, 11 percent more than the year before and has outpaced Las Vegas.

The NIGC receives annual audit reports from tribes conducting gaming operations in accordance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. As the fiscal year utilized by tribal operations vary, compilations of annual totals are finalized in June of the following year. The NIGC’s revenue numbers are based on the audit reports of 387 gaming operations. Gaming revenues represent amounts wagered less prizes paid.

Other numbers:

-The Indian gaming industry has doubled between 2001 and 2006, going from $12.8 billion to $25.1 billion

-In NIGC Region II, which includes California and Northern Nevada, the revenues have jumped from $1.7 billion in 2001 to $7.6 billion in 2006

-NIGC Region V, which includes Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas saw an increase in revenues from $1.7 billion in 2005 to $2.1 billion in 2006, a 22% increase, which was the largest percentage increase regionally during 2006

-Tribes in Region VI, which covers Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and New York, reported $6.2 billion, the second highest. This was a 12.8 percent increase

Phil Hogen, Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) stressed that strong federal oversight has played an important role in the growth of the industry. “The public’s continued good will is a necessary element to continued growth which is why the role of the NIGC must be reaffirmed” he said.



Sources:
http://www.nigc.gov/ReadingRoom/PressReleases/PR63062007/PR63072007/tabid/784/Default.aspx http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/04/AR2007060401098.html