Indian Gaming

American Indian Gaming in 29 States

Since legalization by Congress in 1988, Indian Gaming has developed and grown over the decades to become a $34 billion industry. Today Indian gaming operates in 29 states.

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News Headlines

U.S. Indian Gaming Revenues Hit Record $42B in FY2023 August 20, 2024 - The National Indian Gaming Commission has announced a record $41.9 billion gross gaming revenue was generated by American Indian casinos in FY 2023. The historic number ... Read more Super Bowl Bets | Swiftie Side-Wagers February 11, 2024 - A record 67.8 million football fans are expected to bet on today's Super Bowl game, up 35% from last year. Estimated wagers will be $23.1 billion, up from $16 billion last year. ... Read more Native American casinos are 4 of top 5 largest outside Las Vegas February 4, 2024 - A survey of the largest casinos outside Las Vegas found four of the top five are owned by Native American tribes. The ranking is based on the size of the gaming areas ... Read more Indian Gaming celebrates 35 years October 22, 2023 - This week is the 35th anniversary of the enactment of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 (IGRA). This law, which established Indian gaming casinos on tribal lands, has dramatically changed ... Read more USA Today's 10 Best Casinos outside of Las Vegas September 25, 2023 - USA Today has released its 2023 Ten Best Readers' Choice Awards for US casinos outside Las Vegas. The winners include seven tribal-owned casinos and three state-licensed casinos. ... Read more Headlines continued...

Brief History about Indian Gaming

1979	Birth of Indian Gaming - Florida Seminoles open high-stakes bingo hall.
1981	U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Seminole bingo hall was legal.
1987	U.S. Supreme Court ruled California Indian card games are legal.
1988	U.S. Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA)
2018	Sports betting restrictions overruled by U.S. Supreme Court.

---

1979 - Birth of Indian Gaming
The Seminole Tribe opened a high-stakes bingo hall on their reservation at Hollywood, Florida on December 14, 1979 and the state tried immediately to shut it down. This was followed by a series of court battles leading to a final decision by the United States Supreme Court in 1981. The court ruled in favor of the Seminoles affirming their right to operate their bingo hall. (Ref: Seminole Tribe of Florida v. Butterworth)

1987 - U.S. Supreme Court Recognizes Indian Gaming
The United States Supreme Court ruled that federally-recognized tribes could operate gaming facilities outside state jurisdiction because the tribes were considered sovereign entities by the United States and the gaming operation must not be directly prohibited in that state. (Ref: California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians)

1988 - Indian Gaming Regulatory Act
Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) to establish the rules for the operation and regulation of Indian gaming.

The Act provides that a federally-recognized tribe may conduct gaming activities within the limitations of a compact negotiated between the tribe and the state and approved by the U.S. Department of Interior.

There is more information about the IGRA in the next section.

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Indian Gaming Regulations

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News Articles

U.S. Indian Gaming Revenues Hit Record $42B in FY2023

August 20, 2024

The National Indian Gaming Commission has announced a record $41.9 billion gross gaming revenue was generated by American Indian casinos in FY 2023. The historic number was 2.4% higher than the previous year.

There are 527 Indian gaming casinos owned by 245 tribes in 29 states across the nation. Gaming revenues are used by the tribes for housing, health care, and education.

The growth rate in annual revenues over the past 5 years has been 21%.

2023   $41.9 billion
2022   $40.9 billion
2021   $39.0 billion
2020   $27.8 billion (COVID)
2019   $34.6 billion

The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) published the FY 2023 gross gaming revenue in a press release dated June 27, 2024. The press release can be read here.

Comparison: Commercial vs. Tribal Gaming Revenues
The American Gaming Association (AGA) compiles the gross gaming revenues (GGR) from commercial (state-licensed) casinos. Last year's total was $67.0 billion, up 10.1% from $60.4 billion in 2022. The total gross gaming revenues from tribal and commercial casinos in 2023 was $108.9 billion.

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Super Bowl Bets | Swiftie Side-Wagers

February 11, 2024

A record 67.8 million football fans are expected to bet on today's Super Bowl game, up 35% from last year. Estimated wagers will be $23.1 billion, up from $16 billion last year.

Some betting fans are interested placing prop bets on Taylor Swift like these in a newscast from Grand Falls Casino in Larchwood, Iowa. The Iowa Gaming Commission has limited wagering to the actions of the players and not entertainers.

[No Ads]

Grand Falls Casino: No Swiftie side-wagers - Courtesy of KELOLAND News, Feb 8, 2024. Available from YouTube

SWIFTIE SIDE-BETS
Three offshore sportsbooks running prop bets on Taylor Swift are BetUS, FanDuel Sportsbook Canada, and Bet365. Here are some examples:

Will Kelce propose to Swift at the Super Bowl?
Yes: +920 (bet $10 to win $102 total)
No: -2200 (bet $10 to win $10.45 total)

Will the Super Bowl MVP mention Taylor Swift during his speech?
Yes: +230 (bet $10 to win $33 total)
No: -310 (bet $10 to win $13.23 total)

Will Kelce have more receptions than Swift has platinum albums (10)?
Over: +450 (bet $10 to win $55 total)
Under: -260 (bet $10 to win $13.85 total)
Exactly 10: +320 (bet $10 to win $42 total)

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Native American casinos are 4 of top 5 largest outside Las Vegas

February 4, 2024

A survey of the largest casinos outside Las Vegas found four of the top five are owned by Native American tribes. The ranking is based on the size of the gaming areas. Here is the llist:

1. WinStar World Casino & Resort
   Chickasaw Nation
   Thackerville, Oklahoma

   Gaming Space: 600,000 square feet
   WinStar World Casino is the largest in the world with 600,000 square feet of gambling space, 10,500 slot machines, 100 table games, 55 poker tables, 17 restaurants, and 1,500 hotel rooms. > More Information

2. Foxwoods Casino & Resort
   Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
   Mashantucket, Connecticut

   Gaming Space: 350,000 square feet
   Foxwoods features six casinos with a total of 5,500 slot machines, 250 table games, high stakes Bingo, and a 76-table poker room. There are 23 restaurants, two golf courses, and five hotels wtiht a total of 2,228 rooms. > More Information

3. Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort
   Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut
   Uncasville, Connecticut

   Gaming Space: 300,000 square feet
   Mohegan Sun Casino features 4,000 slot machines, 300 table games, and 30 poker tables. There are 12 restaurants and 1,675 hotel rooms. > More Information

4. Parx Casino
   Bensalem, PA

   Gaming Space: 260,000 square feet
   Parx Casino features 3,500 slot machines, 188 table games, a 28-table poker room, and a sportsbook.

5. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino - Hollywood
   Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida
   Hollywood, Florida

   Gaming Space: 195,000 square feet
   Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casinos in Hollywood is world-famous for its guitar-shaped hotel. The 195,000 square foot casino features 3,100 slot machines, 200 table games, and a 45-table poker room. There is also a 5,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment arena and three hotels with a total of 1,087 rooms. > More Information

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Indian Gaming celebrates 35 years

October 22, 2023

This week is the 35th anniversary of the enactment of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 (IGRA). This law, which established Indian gaming casinos on tribal lands, has dramatically changed the casino landscape across our country.

Today there are over 500 Indian gaming casinos operated by 244 tribes across 29 states. The gross revenue generated by these casinos in fiscal year 2022 was $40.9 billion. This can be compared to $60.4 billion for commercial casinos revenues in 2022.

Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) set up the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) within the U.S. Department of Interior to regulate, implement and enforce the IGRA.

The IGRA also defined three classes of gambling:

Class I Gaming is "traditional tribal gaming and social gaming" controlled by tribal governments.

Class II Gaming is played exclusively against other players and not the house. These games include bingo, poker, keno, pull-tabs, punchboards, and other "non-banked" card games.

Class III Gaming is gambling played against the house. These games include slot machines, blackjack, craps, roulette, and similar others. This class requires the tribes to negotiate a gaming compact with state governments to ensure compliance with state laws.

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USA Today's 10 Best Casinos outside of Las Vegas

September 25, 2023

USA Today has released its 2023 Ten Best Readers' Choice Awards for US casinos outside Las Vegas. The winners include seven tribal-owned casinos and three state-licensed casinos.

Here are the USA Today readers' voting results:

1. MOHEGAN SUN CASINO
   Mohegan Tribe
   1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard
   Uncasville, CT 06382
   
   Mohegan Sun features two casinos: Casino of the Earth and Casino of the Sky. The total gaming at Mohegan Sun is 4,000 slot machines, 300 table games, 30 poker tables, and a race book.

   
   

2. HARD ROCK CASINO CINCINNATI
   Hard Rock brand is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida
   1000 Broadway St
   Cincinnati, OH 45202
   
   Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati is a 100,000-square-foot casino with 1,600 slot machines, 84 table games, a 31-table poker room, high-limit area and a VIP player's lounge.

   
   

3. CHOCTAW CASINO RESORT DURANT
   Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
   4216 S. Hwy. 69/75
   Durant, Ok 74701
   
   Choctaw Casino in Durant, OK, is a 218,844 square-foot casino with 7.400 slot machines, table games, a 30-table poker room and a race book.

   
   

4. BEAU RIVAGE RESORT & CASINO
   875 Beach Boulevard
   Biloxi, Mississippi 39530-4241

   
   

5. SENECA NIAGARA RESORT & CASINO
   Seneca Nation of Indians
   310 Fourth Street
   Niagara Falls, New York 14303
   
   Seneca Niagara Casino is a 110,000-square-foot casino with 3,200 slot machines, 95 table games, a 23-table poker room, and a sportsbook.

   
   

6. GOLDEN NUGGET LAKE CHARLES HOTEL & CASINO
   2550 Golden Nugget Blvd.
   Lake Charles, LA 70601
   
   Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino features 1600 slots, 77 table games, a 6-table poker room and Louisiana's largest sportsbook.

   
   

7. PECHANGA RESORT CASINO
   Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians
   45000 Pechanga Parkway
   Temecula, CA 92592
   
   Pechanga Resort Casino is a 188,000 square-foot casino with 5,000 slot machines, 158 table games, a 38-table poker room, high=limit gaming area, and a 799-seat bingo hall.

   
   

8. FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO
   Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
   39 Norwich Westerly Road
   Mashantucket, Connecticut 06338
   
   Foxwoods Resort Casino has six casinos with a total of 340,000 square feet. There are 3,500 slot machines, 250 table games, a 76-table poker room, a 4,000-seat bingo hall, and a DraftKings Sportsbook.

   
   

9. GRAND SIERRA RESORT AND CASINO
   2599 E 2nd Street
   Reno, NV 89595
   
   Grand Sierra Resort and Casino has a 100,000-square-foot gaming floor with 1,200 slot machines, 47 table games, a 7-table poker room, a racebook and a sportsbook.

   
   

10. YAAMAVA' RESORT CASINO AT SAN MANUEL
    San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
    777 San Manuel Blvd
    Highland, CA 92346
    
    Yaamava' Resort & Casino at San Manuel is the largest casino in California. There are 7,000 slot machines, 150 table games, a 38-table poker room, and 5 high-limit gaming rooms.

    
    

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FY 2022 Indian Gaming Revenue Grows 5% to $40.9 Billion

July 28, 2023

In a press release July 19, the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) released the Indian gaming revenue figures for the 2022 fiscal year (ended June 30, 2023). The Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) total was the highest ever in history at $40.9 billion. The revenue number was generated by 519 tribal gaming operations owned by 244 federally recognized tribes. Tribal gaming operates in 29 states.

The growth of the Gross Gaming Revenue from FY2020 to FY2021 was 4.9%. This growth indicates recovery of the business downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the growth rateis consistent with the past 20 years.



For the complete NIGC report, click here.

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'Top 15 Most Famous U.S. Casinos' - 9 are Native American

July 12, 2023

In an article last week, KnowInsiders ranked the Top 15 most famous casino hotels and resorts in America. Nine of these casino properties are Native American. The full article can be read here.

1. Foxwoods Casino & Resort
   Mashantucket, Connecticut
   Foxwoods is owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. The casino features 4,500 slot machines, 300 table games, high stakes Bingo, and the 'largest poker room on the East Coast'. There are four hotels, forty restaurants, and two golf courses. > More Information

2. Bellagio Resort & Casino
   Las Vegas, Nevada
   The Bellagio is described as iconic, impressive, luxurious, opulent and a crown jewel the Las Vegas Strip. > More Information

3. WinStar World Casino & Resort
   Thackerville, Oklahoma
   WinStar World Casino is owned by the Chickasaw Nation. The casino is the largest in the world with 600,000 square feet of gambling space, 10,500 slot machines, 100 table games, 55 poker tables, 17 restaurants, and 1,500 hotel rooms. > More Information

4. Ocean Casino Resort
   Atlantic City, New Jersey
   Ocean Casino Resort is located on 20 beachfront acres at the Atlantic City Boardwalk. The casino features 2,000 slot machines, 125 table games, and a 1,400-room hotel. > More Information

5. Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
   Atlantic City, New Jersey
   Borgata Hotel Casino is located in the Marina District of Atlantic City and features a 161,000-square-foot casino floor with 4,100 slot machines and 200 table games, a 2,400-seat event center, a 1,000-seat theater, and a 2,000-room hotel. > More Information

6. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino
   Biloxi, Mississippi
   Beau Rivage Resort & Casino is a waterfront casino on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. The 85,000-square-foot casino features 2,300 slot machines, 110 table games, and poker. The hotel has 1,740 guest rooms. > More Information

7. Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort
   Uncasville, Connecticut
   Mohegan Sun Casino is opwned by the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut. The 300,000-square-foot casino features 4,000 slot machines, 300 table games, and 30 poker tables. There are 12 restaurants and 1,675 hotel rooms. > More Information

8. Turning Stone Casino Resort
   Verona, New York
   Turning Stone Casino Resort is owned by the Oneida Nation in Upstate New York. The 500,000-square-foot casino features 2,300 slot machines, 80 table games, and a poker room. Hotel rooms total 700. > More Information

9. Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
   Atlantic City, New Jersey
   Knowinsiders has included this casino hotel twice on their list with different comments. > More Information

10. Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City
    Atlantic City, New Jersey
    Hard Rock International is owned by the Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida. The, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City is an entertainment destination with 2,115 slot machines, 100 table games, and a 2,032-room hotel. > More Information

11. Talking Stick Resort & Casino
    Scottsdale, Arizona
    Talking Stick resort & Casino is owned by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in Scottsdale, Arizona. The 240,000-square-feet casino features 700 slot machines and 50 table games. There are ten restaurants, a concert showroom, and a 500-room, luxury hotel. > More Information

12. Island View Casino Resort
    Gulfport, Mississippi
    Island View Casino Resort is located on the Gulf Coast and features a 126,000-square-foot casino floor with 2,600 slot machines and 49 table games. > More Information

13. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino - Hollywood
    Hollywood, Florida
    Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casinos in Hollywood is owned by the Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida. It is world-famous for its guitar-shaped hotel. The 195,000 square foot casino features 3,100 slot machines, 200 table games, and a 45-table poker room. There is also a 5,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment arena and three hotels with a total of 1,087 rooms. > More Information

14. Gila River Resorts & Casinos at Wild Horse Pass
    Chandler, Arizona
    The Wild Horse Pass casino is a casino complex is owned by the Gila River Indian Community. The 100,000 square-foot gaming floor features 1,000 slot machines, 44 gaming tables, a poker foom and a sportsbook. There are restaurants, entertainment venues, and a 447-room hotel. > More Information

15. Yaamava' Resort & Casino at San Manuel
    Highland, California
    Yaamava' Resort & Casino is owned by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. The casino is the largest in California and features 6,500 slot machines, 120 table games, a 38-table poker room, and five high-limit gaming rooms. There is also the 2,800-seat Yaamava Theater and a 17-story hotel with 432-rooms. > More Information

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2021 Indian Gaming Revenues Jump 40% to $39B

August 22, 2022

Last Wednesday the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) published a press release announcing the gross revenue from all Indian gaming totaled $39 billion in Fiscal Year 2021. (FY 2021 ended June 30, 2022.) Gaming revenues grew 40% over FY 2020, which was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gaming revenue for FY 2021 is a record high. The past five years shows the following growth:

2021   $39.0 Billion
2020   $27.8 Billion
2019   $34.6 Billion
2018   $33.7 Billion
2017   $32.4 Billion

The news release from the National Indian Gaming Commission included:

"Gaming Revenue for FY 2021 is the highest in Indian gaming history, with all NIGC administrative regions showing a positive increase from FY 2020. This is Indian gaming's largest increase, following its greatest decrease brought on by a record level of pandemic-related closures. With the pandemic still at the top of mind for tribes, Indian gaming continues to show its resiliency through innovative operational advancements and the steadfast leadership of tribal regulatory authorities."

- Source: NIGC News Release

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New Year 2022 Will See New States Add Sports Betting

January 1, 2022

Thirty three states have legalized sports betting since the Supreme Court removed the ban on May 14, 2018. Nine of these states legalized sports betting in 2021. Four more states are likely to follow in 2022. These include California, Georgia, Massachusetts, and North Carolina.

FOUR STATES MOST LIKELY TO LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING IN 2022

1. California: So far one ballot measure has qualified for the Nov. 2022 ballot. That measure would allow retail-only wagering at Indian casinos and horse racetracks. There are potentially three more proposals that may qualify in time for the Nov. election.

2. Georgia: There is optimism in the Georgia legislature that 2022 is the year for passing a ballot measure for voters to approve or disapprove mobile sports betting statewide.

3. Massachusetts: Legislature rumors during the last few months predicted a sports betting deal is imminent. Now with added betting pressure from Connecticut and New York, the legislature is expected to take action in 2022 to legalize sports betting.

4. North Carolina: A sports betting bill to allow statewide mobile and retail wagering was passed by the state senate last year and will be carried into the house in the 2022 session. There appears to be no major opposition. In 2020 the legislature approved sports betting at the two Cherokee tribal casinos.

SIX STATES COULD POTENTIALLY LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING IN 2022
Six more state could potentially legalize sports betting in 2022. These include Alabama, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri and Oklahoma.

TEN STATES UNLIKELY TO LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING IN 2022
The ten state that are most unlikely to legalize sports betting in 2022 are Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Vermont.

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2020 Indian Gaming Revenues Fall 19.5% to $27.8B

August 22, 2021

The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) published a press release this week for the total gross revenues of all U.S. tribal casinos during fiscal year 2020. The 2020 gross revenue was $27.8 billion dollars. That number was down from $34.6 billion in the previous year. The drop was 19.5%, which is attributed to the impact of COVID-19.

Here is a copy of the press release.

2020 INDIAN GAMING REVENUES OF $27.8 BILLION SHOW A 19.5% DECREASE

WASHINGTON, DC - Tuesday, August 17th, 2021 - Today, National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) Chairman E. Sequoyah Simermeyer and Vice Chair Jeannie Hovland released the Fiscal Year 2020 (FY 2020) overall Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) figure. FY 2020 revenues totaled $27.8B, a decrease of 19.5% over FY 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the FY 2020 GGR results. Unlike previous years, the NIGC administrative regions experienced a FY 2020 decline of more than 13% in GGR. The Rapid City Region experienced the largest decrease of 36.6%. Graphics are available for download on the NIGC website and highlight the decreases across all NIGC regions.

"This Gross Gaming Revenue decrease was expected; the unknown was just how much of an impact COVID-19 had on Indian gaming. Every year, the annual GGR figure tells a story about Indian gaming's successes, contributions to Indian communities, and economic impacts. This was highlighted even more during the pandemic. Nevertheless, tribes were on the forefront of creating standards, developing new safety protocols, and sharing community resources. I foresee this decrease as only a temporary setback for Indian gaming," Chairman Simermeyer said.

The GGR figure is an aggregate of revenue from 527 independently audited financial statements, of 248 federally recognized Tribes across 29 States. The GGR for an operation is based on the amount wagered minus winnings returned to players.

"Despite the limits and uncertainty of the last year, it is important to focus on the sacrifices of and economic refuge provided by tribes and the community impacts. Tribal gaming has shown resilience and commitment, and continues to develop new roads to economic stability. I look forward to seeing Indian gaming continue to lead the way in efforts to reduce the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic," Vice Chair Hovland said.

Source: National Indian Gaming Commission

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Tribes are devastated after one year of COVID-19

March 18, 2021

As the Covid-19 pandemic began spreading across our nation last year, its impact became the most deadly in our tribal communities. Tribal economies also collapsed as casinos were shut down depriving funding for health care, education, housing, elder programs and other member services.

A study by the Color of Coronavirus project published the following death rates by race:

Deaths per 100,000 people

256.0 deaths Native Americans
179.8 deaths Black Americans
176.6 deaths Pacific Islander Americans
150.2 deaths White Americans
147.3 deaths Latino Americans
  96.0 deaths Asian Americans

The tribal economies lost an estimated $10 billion in casino revenues resulting in voluntary shutdowns followed by reopenings at limited capacity. These revenues were needed for social and welfare programs by members in Indian gaming tribes. Many other tribes do not own casinos, and these tribes outnumber those that do. The non-gaming tribes have suffered the most.

The worst cases are hopefully ending now as vaccinations and financial relief are expected soon to help everyone in need. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was passed and signed into law last week. That legislation will provide $31.2 billion in financial relief across all Native American communities.

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Tribes congratulate U.S. Interior Secretary nominee Deb Haaland

January 3, 2021

Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M. has been nominated by President-elect Joe Biden to be the next Secretary of Interior. She is the first Native American ever nominated for that cabinet post.

In 2018 Deb Haaland from the Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico and Sharice Davids from the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin became the first two Native American women elected to Congress. Haaland has been serving as the vice-chair of the House Natural Resources Committee and the chair of a subcommittee on national parks, forests and public lands.

Since her nomination as Interior Secretary, Haaland has received congratulations, praise and support from tribal leaders, organizations and officials across the nation.

Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation President Bernadine Burnette said:

"Today is a historic day for the nomination of Rep. Deb Haaland as Secretary of the Interior. It is a humble and great day to have our Native sister with her teachings and respect for the land be nominated. We women tribal leaders have long served our communities, so we know what to do, and it is fitting for her. We send our prayers, protection and congratulations as Deb Haaland officially becomes Secretary of the Interior."

Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis said:

"President-elect Biden said Indian Country will have a seat at the table - and now - the person across the table from us will be a Native American. It is a proud day for the Gila River Indian Community and Indian Country."

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said:

"It is truly a historic and unprecedented day for all Indigenous people as Congresswoman Deb Haaland has been selected to head one of the largest federal agencies, which oversees the BIA and BIE, at the highest level of the federal government."

Rep. Tom O'Halleran, D-Ariz, said:

"As the first Native American to head the department, she will bring unparalleled knowledge and empathy to the role, assisting tribal communities, protecting our public lands, and addressing the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women."

Haaland's nomination requires a confirmation vote in the U.S. Senate after the Biden administration takes office.

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2019 Indian Gaming Revenues grow 2.5% to $34.6B

December 12, 2020

The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) issued a report this week showing the total Indian gaming revenues across our country reach $34.6B during the last fiscal year. This is a 2.5% increase over the previous year, and marks the highest rate of increase since the beginning of Indian gaming in 1988.

The report period ended prior to this year's shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting NIGC Vice Chair Isom-Clause to state:

"While we welcome this positive report from FY2019, we know that the current reality is dramatically different. Future reports will reflect the effects of the pandemic on the industry, as well as how it continues to adapt to changing circumstances. Despite these current hardships, Indian gaming, like the tribal nations it benefits, has proved its resiliency over the years."

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Report: Indian casinos lose $1.5B and 296,000 workers in 2 weeks

April 8, 2020

During the past two weeks the Indian gaming industry across the nation has effectively shut down for the coronavirus pandemic. The economic impact of the closures is becoming increasinly painful to the tribes and their members.

Today a report was released showing the financial losses to tribal gaming over the past two weeks of the shut-downs.

During the first two weeks of closure, Meister Economic Consulting has estimated significant losses directly at tribal casinos:

• $1.5 billion in lost economic activity (i.e., gaming and non-gaming revenue to casinos);

• 296,000 people out of work;

• $332 million in lost wages;

• $240 million in lost taxes and revenue sharing received by federal, state, and local governments

Read the full report titled "Coronavirus Impact on Tribal Gaming" by visiting Meister Economic Consulting.

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Tribes receiving $200M economic aid from HUD

April 7, 2020

Native American tribes have been impacted extremely hard by the coronavirus pandemic, and many have lost their primary source of income with the closure of casinos. The CARES Paycheck Protection Plan excluded Indian casinos

As tribes desperately sought federal help, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a special program to relieve Native Americans housing costs related to the coronavirus pandemic. HUD will distribute $200 million in grants to tribes in need.

HUD Secretary Ben Carson issued this statement:

"When President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act into law, he wanted to ensure that American Indian Tribes received the assistance they needed to combat the coronavirus. HUD remains committed to providing tribes with the tools they need during this national emergency to continue to create safe, affordable housing opportunities for their communities."

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2018 Indian Gaming Revenues Increase 4.1% to $33.7 Billion

September 17, 2019

NIGC issues bulletin about 'IGRA and Sports Book Operations'

February 3, 2020

The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) published a new document last week regarding sports betting and compliance with Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). The document states the following purpose and issues:

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide guidance for tribes considering the operation of any sports books on Indian lands. Before conducting any type of Class III gaming on Indian lands, a tribe must have a compact approved by the Department of the Interior. Sports betting is defined as Class III gaming,1 so each tribe should review its compact to determine whether sports betting is allowed. If a tribe does not have an approved compact that allows for sports betting, the tribe and respective state must adopt or amend the compact to include sports betting on Indian lands.

To read the entire NIGC document, visit IGRA and Sports Book Operations.

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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
National Indian Gaming Commission

2018 INDIAN GAMING REVENUES OF $33.7 BILLION SHOW A 4.1% INCREASE

WASHINGTON, DC - Thursday, September 12, 2019 - Today, Vice Chair Kathryn Isom-Clause, and Associate Commissioner E. Sequoyah Simermeyer of the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) released the Fiscal Year 2018 Gross Gaming Revenue numbers. FY 2018 revenues total $33.7B, an overall increase of 4.1% over FY 2017.

The GGR for FY 2018 is the highest in Indian gaming history; and, unlike previous years, all of the NIGC's administrative regions experienced positive growth in FY 2018. The Portland Region showed the highest growth, with an 8.2% increase, followed by the Oklahoma City Region with a 7.3% increase. Graphics that show the growth across each of the NIGC Regions are available for download on the NIGC website.

"The GGR calculation process is an example of the partnership between tribes and the NIGC to ensure effective regulation for a successful tribal gaming industry," said Vice Chair Kathryn Isom-Clause. "These numbers reaffirm the industry's health as a stable economic driver for Indian Country," she said.

Revenues are calculated based on 527 independently audited financial statements, comprised of 241 federally recognized Tribes across 29 States. The GGR for an operation is calculated based on the amount wagered minus winnings returned to players.

"The annual GGR tells a positive story about Indian gaming's economic success and the industry's ongoing contribution to a strong economy. It also tells the story of how collaboration among tribes, industry and the regulatory communities can build a strong reputation for reliability and integrity in the GGR calculation," said Commissioner Simermeyer.

Source: National Indian Gaming Commission.

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U.S. 2018 Casino Revenues Approach $76B

March 11, 2019

The combined revenues of all U.S. casinos, both Native American and commercial, is estimated at nearly $76 billion in 2018. Final numbers are pending and will be published in a few months.

Indian Casinos

2018 revenues for Indian casinos are estimated to exceed $33 billion dollars.

Indian gaming operates in 29 states. The leading revenue contributors were California, Oklahoma and Florida.

Commercial Casinos

2018 revenues for commercial casinos were nearly $43 billion dollars, a 3% increase over the previous year. Nevada

Commercial casinos are licensed by 20 states. Nearly 28% of commercial revenues was in Nevada which did $12 billion dollars. The other major contributors were New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

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2017 Indian Gaming Revenues Increase 3.9% to $32.4 Billion

PRESS RELEASE
Provided by NIGC - National Indian Gaming Commission
June 26, 2018

WASHINGTON, DC June 26, 2018 - Today Chairman Jonodev Osceola Chaudhuri, Vice Chair Kathryn Isom-Clause, and Associate Commissioner Sequoyah Simermeyer of the National Indian Gaming Commission released the Fiscal Year 2017 Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) amount saw an increase of 3.9% over 2016, totaling $32.4 billion.

The FY 2017 revenues are calculated from the independently audited financial statements of 494 gaming operations, owned by 242 federally recognized Tribes. The GGR for an operation is the amount wagered minus winnings returned to players. It represents earnings before salaries, tribal-state compacts, and operating expenses.

The annual announcement of Gross Gaming Revenue numbers for Indian Country provides a yearly snapshot of the economic health of Indian gaming. As 2018 marks the 30th year of gaming under IGRA, it is an opportune time to reflect on key policy principles that have helped create the successes of a healthy Indian gaming industry these policies include:

The preservation of the role of Tribes as the primary regulators and beneficiaries of their operations;

• Recognition and utilization of Congress's stated intent and IGRA's built-in flexibility to promote technological innovation, such as the use of electronic aids in class II gaming;

• Faithful application of the law that accounts for the unique histories and land-bases of Tribes and IGRA's built-in flexibility to allow Indian gaming on a variety of different types of Indian lands;

• And finally, the primacy of the nation to nation relationship between tribes and the federal government and tribes, one that predates the US Constitution.

The consistent growth of the Indian gaming industry year after year shows how well tribes run and regulate complicated operations. By staying in its regulatory lane and supporting tribes as the primary regulators, the NIGC has supported the Indian gaming industry's entrepreneurial spirit and self-determination goals.

"All of Indian Country has worked very hard to maintain a flourishing and constantly growing gaming industry," said the Chair of the NIGC, Jonodev O. Chaudhuri. "The successes of Indian gaming in the 30 years since IGRA prove that the foundational principles of federal Indian law should remain at the forefront of any future public policy discussions," he said.

For more detailed data and information such as region-specific information refer to the media center tab under the Public Affairs division on the National Indian Gaming Commission website.

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The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act created the National Indian Gaming Commission to support tribal self-sufficiency and the integrity of Indian gaming. The NIGC has developed four initiatives to support its mission including (1) To protect against anything that amounts to gamesmanship on the backs of tribes; (2) To stay ahead of the Technology Curve; (3) Rural outreach; and (4) To maintain a strong workforce within NIGC and with its tribal regulatory partners. NIGC oversees the efficient regulation of 506 gaming establishments operated by 246 tribes across 29 states. The Commission's dedication to compliance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act ensures the integrity of the growing $32.4 billion Indian gaming industry. To learn more, visit www.nigc.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Source: www.nigc.gov

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Online Gaming Market to reach $96B by 2024

June 25, 2018

After market research analysis, it is estimated that by 2024, online gaming revenue could total $96 billion worldwide.

It is being projected overall that mergers and acquisitions are the reason behind the trend of consolidation. Restrictions and regulations from the government and the increase of market saturation has been making the opportunity in the online gaming market highly competitive for companies. This has made it even more of a challenge for small companies to be successful int eh industry.

Market research also showed that there are two areas where smaller companies could expand into for the online gaming market. One of those markets is based on the increase world wide of personal electronics usage. Most people have more than one device that they use. In addition to their personal computer most there has been an increase in the purchase of smartphones, tablets, and electronic readers.

Most of the users of these devices are between the ages of 18 and 49. The amount of people around the globe that have access to these technologies has been increasing. Gaming technologies that support these types of devices is one avenue that smaller companies may try to use to take advantage of the surging gaming market. Another option would be for the development of gaming using virtual reality devices.

Countries that create an online gaming market have been having much success. Especially in the United States. One emerging issue in the online gaming market in the United States is that each individual state has their own online gaming regulation.

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NIGC Reflects on 30-Year Growth of Indian Gaming

PRESS RELEASE

30 in 30: NIGC reflects on development of Indian gaming

Written by National Indian Gaming Commission

Published: 26 January 2018

From a $1 million industry 30 years ago to a burgeoning $30 billion economic powerhouse today, a look at the Indian gaming's development and impact under the guidance and support of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1987.

Thirty years ago this year, the United States Supreme Court decided the case California vs. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, upholding Tribes' rights to operate gaming on their lands. In the time since that momentous decision, Indian gaming has evolved into a $30 billion industry that is still growing. Indian gaming has become a major, and positive, economic force throughout Indian country.

Tribes began formalizing the Indian gaming industry in the 1960s and 1970s to provide a source of revenue for their governments. Leading up to the Cabazon decision, and in its immediate aftermath, debates about regulating tribal gaming arose. The compromise reached with Congress, in the form of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, drew from the prevailing goals of modern federal Indian policy to support tribal self-determination, self-sufficiency and economic development. IGRA provides a statutory basis for the operation of Indian gaming as a means of promoting and upholding those goals. It remains one of the most successful pieces of federal Indian legislation and has served as a catalyst for economic development, ensured Tribes are the true primary beneficiaries of their gaming activities and supported the integrity of the industry.

Indian gaming has positively impacted millions of American Indians and Alaska Natives and has proven to be a critical income source for many Tribes. For small, rural Tribes, who do not always have many economic opportunities to support self-sufficiency, gaming operations have been a lifeline to supplement the assistance currently received through federal funding. In many instances, revenue from Indian gaming has buttressed tribal program budgets, allowing Tribes to provide important services for their members and direct funding to other important tribal priorities such as supporting cultural and language revitalization, healthcare, education, housing and more.

Although tribal gaming varies in size and revenue, even the smallest gaming operations provide direct and indirect benefits, including jobs for tribal and local community members. Gaming has also served as a jumping off point for Tribes to diversify, leading to robust economic portfolios and success in industries that were initially not feasible. The Blue Lake Rancheria in California, for example, has invested gaming revenues in a community-scale microgrid with solar photovoltaic power and advanced energy storage. This operation increased the Tribe's workforce by 10% in addition to saving them $250 thousand annually in energy costs.

Tribes have always been the architects of their own success in the industry, as expertise and experience have developed, more and more Tribes are looking beyond their own facilities to the tribal gaming landscape as a whole. The Indian gaming industry has provided a powerful platform for Tribes to work together and share their knowledge, enhancing inter-tribal relations and further bolstering the well-being of Indian Country at large. The Mohegan Tribe, for example, has used their thirty years of gaming experience to assist a sister Tribe in Washington State develop and manage a new gaming facility.

Further, the industry's influence extends to surrounding local and state economies. It provides opportunities to some of the most underserved areas in the country, creating a platform for employment and business development throughout the supply chain from casino vendors to local gas stations, restaurants, and hotels. Additionally, Tribes give their gaming revenue to local emergency and social service organizations and to charitable causes, truly impacting countless lives. The Coeur d'Alene Tribe of Idaho donates 5% of casino earnings to schools throughout the state and was instrumental in the development of Kootenai County's first and only free public transit system, CityLink, with an initial $1.38 million grant and continued annual financial support.

As we look toward the future of Indian gaming, with its inevitable technological evolution and expansion, IGRA's purpose remains as relevant as ever. The policies and procedures of IGRA, maintained and implemented by the NIGC, have provided Tribes with the support, guidance, and protection to develop a healthy, robust gaming industry. The NIGC, with its unique expertise developed over the past 30 years, is vigilant in adapting to all industry advancements and working in tandem with regulatory partners to ensure a well-regulated gaming industry that supports tribal economic development, tribal self-sufficiency and strong tribal governments. These efforts in conjunction with IGRA's sound principles will continue guiding Indian gaming into a bright and prosperous future.

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2022

2021 Indian Gaming Revenues Jump 40% to $39B August 22, 2022 - Last Wednesday the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) published a press release announcing the gross revenue from all Indian gaming totaled $39 billion in Fiscal Year 2021 (Ended June 30, 2022) ... Read more New Year 2022 Will See New States Add Sports Betting January 1, 2022 - Thirty three states have legalized sports betting since the Supreme Court removed the ban on May 14, 2018. Nine of these states legalized sports betting in 2021. Four more states will likely follow ... Read more

2021

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2020

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2019

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2018

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