AGA studies tribal gaming’s economic impact
The association released for the first time a state-by-state analysis of the economic impact of tribal gaming.
US.- The American Gaming Association (AGA) announced this week during a roundtable discussion wth gaming leaders in Oklahoma City the release of the first ever state-by-state analysis of the economic impact of tribal gaming in the United States.
The report revealed that the casino gaming industry supports 635k tribal gaming jobs and has an economic impact of US$97 billion. Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association, said: “Casino gaming is a strong community partner throughout Oklahoma and across the 40 states where our industry operates. As tribal and commercial operators continue to work together, our industry will continue to grow in the years to come.”
“The Economic Impact of Tribal Gaming: A First-Ever State-by-State Analysis” reveals that the tribal gaming sector is a critical driver of the economic activity as it generates over 44 percent of all gaming revenue in the US. Tribal gaming generates over US$33 billion in employee wages and generates US$16 billion in taxes and direct payments to federal, state and local governments, AGA revealed.
“Since the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) in 1988, tribal gaming has grown 300-fold from a US$121 million segment of the U.S. gaming industry, consisting of small bingo halls and gaming facilities, to a US$30 billion plus segment in 28 states,” says the report. “Those revenues, which by law, are used to support reservation communities, have boosted tribes’ socioeconomic status by stimulating their economy, reducing unemployment, raising incomes and improving infrastructure on reservations.”
The event included Tom Cole (OK-4); Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-2); Matthew Morgan, Chickasaw Nation; Sheila Morago, Executive Director, Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association; Russell Evans, Executive Director, Stevens C. Agee Economic Research and Policy Institute (ERPI); and Mark Fulton, Chief Operating Officer, Cherokee Nation Entertainment.
