Indian gaming revenues increase 4.1 percent in 2018

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Indian Gaming Commission said on Thursday, Sept. 12, that gross gaming revenue for Indian gaming in fiscal year 2018 totaled $33.7 billion, an overall increase of 4.1 percent over the previous fiscal year.

The 2018 gross gaming revenue is the highest in Indian gaming history and, unlike in previous years, all of the National Indian Gaming Commission’s administrative regions showed growth.

The Portland region showed the highest growth, with an 8.2 percent increase, followed by the Oklahoma City region with a 7.3 percent increase.

Revenues are calculated based on 501 independently audited financial statements from 241 federally recognized Tribes in 29 states. The gross gaming revenue is based on the amount wagered minus winnings returned to players.

“The annual gross gaming revenue tells a positive story about Indian gaming’s economic success and the industry’s ongoing contribution to a strong economy,” said National Indian Gaming Commission Associate Commissioner E. Sequoyah Simermeyer. “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 gross gaming revenue calculation.”

“These numbers reaffirm the industry’s health as a stable economic driver for Indian Country,” said commission Vice Chair Kathryn Isom-Clause.