[image credit : NIGC]
Tracie Stevens, Chairwoman of the National Indian Gaming Commission in the United States, has revealed that the Indian gaming industry generated record total turnover of $27.9bn (€21.1bn) in 2012.
The figures represent the third consecutive year of growth for the industry.
“In 2012, the Indian gaming industry saw its largest gross gaming revenues ever,” Stevens said.
“For those who judge casino spending as an indicator of increased discretionary spending and economic recovery, 2012 revenues certainly display economic encouragement.”
The gross gaming revenues of $27.9bn represented a 2.7% increase on $27.2bn in 2011.
The organisation’s associate commissioner, Dan Little, added, “Regulation has played a key role in the growth of the Indian gaming industry. Over the last three years our regulatory review has provided much needed reform to meet the needs of the changing industry and provide flexibility and consistency for tribes and tribal regulators.”
In 2012, 98 Indian gaming operations reported gaming turnover of between $10m and $25m while 70 operations reported gaming revenues of between $3m and $10m. Sixty-nine operations reported gaming turnover of less than $3m.
“These numbers illustrate that the majority of tribal gaming operations are small to mid-size,” Stevens said.
“The industry is driven by the demographics of each area. Most tribal gaming operations are in rural parts of the country where jobs are greatly needed for both natives and non-natives alike.”
