It was a record-breaking year of revenue on the reservation.
In fiscal year 2023, tribal casinos in the United States generated nearly $42 billion in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR).
This represents a $1 billion increase (2.4%) compared to the historic GGR of $40.9 billion in FY 2022. Acting Chairwoman Sharon M. Avery and Vice Chair Jeannie Hovland shared this news at the Wisconsin Gaming Regulators Association Summer Conference in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Let’s take a closer look at the numbers behind this record and how it might impact top-rated sportsbooks.
Adapting and Thriving
In a statement released to the press, Avery credited the growth in revenue to the resilience of tribal gaming operations, which have adapted to technological advancements and changing consumer preferences.
“This year’s GGR results demonstrate how a strong regulatory framework and diversity of tribal gaming enterprises generates growth in the gaming industry. 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,” said Avery.
“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,” said Hovland.
New Games Also Contribute to the Success
Gaming chairman Tehassi Hill, echoing Avery, acknowledges that operators have successfully adapted in the face of challenges (old and new). However, Hill also attributes part of their success to introducing more games for people to play.
“The nationwide impact of Indian Gaming has been 41.9 billion dollars which has been on a steady increase over the years and quite an increase since the pandemic, I think the reasons why the gaming revenue has increased I think a lot of it has been the operations themselves being more lean and efficient, but also they’ve increased the games as well,” stated Hill.
The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) aims to promote tribal self-sufficiency and uphold the integrity of Indian gaming through effective regulation. Working collaboratively with tribes and states, the NIGC oversees over 500 gaming establishments operated by nearly 245 tribes across 29 states.
The commission also investigates corruption and integrity issues, all while adhering to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
Sacramento Leads All Regions in Revenue
Notably, all eight NIGC regions experienced an increase in gaming revenue since the last GGR report.
Sacramento, with 87 operations across California and northern Nevada, led the NIGC regions, generating $11.9 billion in gross gaming revenue.
Meanwhile, the D.C. region, encompassing New York, Florida, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, secured the second-highest gross revenue among NIGC regions.
The region’s 44 operations earned a little more than $9 billion in gross revenue, representing a 2.4% year-over-year increase.
The St. Paul region, covering Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, and Indiana with 95 operations, achieved the third-highest gross revenue at $5 billion in FY2023. By comparison, St. Paul’s gross revenue had reached $4.9 billion in FY2022.
The steady growth in tribal gaming revenue underscores the sector’s resilience and its crucial contribution to economic stability within tribal communities.
Calculators
