The National Indian Gaming Commission has reported record annual gross gaming revenue numbers for tribal gaming, declaring $41.9bn for the fiscal year 2023.
FY2023’s figure of $41.9bn is a 2.4 per cent increase on the previous year’s $40.9bn, which was also a new high at the time. Figures come from the audited financial statements of 527 gaming operations from 245 tribes across 29 US states.
The NIGC’s Acting Chair Sharon M Avery and Vice Chair Jeannie Hovland made the financial announcement at the Wisconsin Gaming Regulators Association Summer Conference in Green Bay.
The commission noted that the figures highlight the “viability of tribal gaming operations”, as well as the industry’s ability “to adapt to technological advances and changes in consumer preferences”. All eight NIGC regions also demonstrated year-over-year growth.
“This year’s GGR results demonstrate how a strong regulatory framework and diversity of tribal gaming enterprises generates growth in the gaming industry,” commented Avery.
“Again, this year, tribal gaming operators and regulators have proven that their ingenuity and tenacity are catalysts for growth, even in the face of an ever-changing gaming landscape.
“This steadfastness will ensure that tribal gaming remains a valuable resource for continued economic sustainability in tribal communities.”
Per region, tribal gaming in Sacramento (87 operations) generated the most GGR over FY2023 with $11.97bn (2022: $11.76bn), followed by DC (44 operations) with $9.2bn (2022: $8.98bn), St Paul (95 operations) with $5.09bn (2022: $4.95bn) and Portland (53 operations) with $4.53bn (2022: $4.48bn).
Tribal gaming in Phoenix (54 operations) produced $3.93bn GGR over the year (2022: $3.72bn), followed by Tulsa (74 operations) with $3.56bn (2022: $3.49bn), Oklahoma City (75 operations) with $3.22bn (2022: $3.15bn) and Rapid City (45 operations) with $425.9m (2022: $406.2m).
Hovland added: “I congratulate the industry regulators, operators, and tribal leadership on another successful year.
“Their hard work in meeting and overcoming the challenges presented by an increasingly competitive market is evidence that tribes are resilient, and their gaming expertise is yielding benefits for their nations as IGRA intended.”
