Indian gaming generates $29.9bn in 2015

ative American owned and operated gaming facilities experienced their largest growth in revenue for a decade, according to figures released by the National Indian Gaming Commission (NICG).

The $29.9bn generated in revenue nationwide marks a 5% year-on-year increase on the $28.5bn in gross gaming revenue recorded for 2014, the largest increase in more than ten years.

A total of 474 gambling facilities were operated by 283 tribes last year, while 6.5% of those facilities brought in over $250m, according to the NICG.

NIGC Chairman, Jonodev O. Chaudhuri, said: “The strong regulation that tribes as well as federal regulators and other stake holders provides has played a key role in the stability and growth of the Indian gaming industry by providing consistency and predictability.”

The NICG groups tribal gaming operators into seven geographic regions, with the Sacramento region, comprising California and Northern Nevada posting the greatest year-on-year gain for 2015 at 8%, rising from $7.3bn to $7.9bn.

The Sacramento region is home to 71 casino operations, second only to the St. Paul region, which contains nine states from Montana to Michigan, and houses 134 casino operations generating $4.8bn in revenue for 2015.

The Oklahoma City Region, made up of Western Oklahoma and Texas, recorded a revenue rise of 6.7% to $2.1bn, while Tulsa ranked third with a revenue expansion of 6.5%, up to $2.2bn

Chairman Chaudhuri added: “The Indian gaming industry can look back on tremendous growth and advancement.

“In the 30 years since the Cabazon case was argued before the Supreme Court, Indian gaming has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry annually.

“This is in no doubt due largely to the innovation, leadership and positive reputation that Indian Country, in conjunction with the regulatory community, has cultivated since the advent of Indian gaming.”