INDIAN GAMING NUMBERS JUMP 11 PERCENT

8 June 2007

Latest stats show that tribal gaming is big business - all $25.1 billion of it!

Phil Hogen, Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), used the semi-annual meeting of the United South and Eastern Tribes (USET) this week to announce that net revenues from Indian gaming grew more than 11 percent from 2005 to 2006, generating $25.1 billion in gaming revenues in 2006.

"The continued growth is eye-opening considering the tribal gaming industry is still relatively young. The Indian gaming industry has doubled between 2001 and 2006, going from $12.8 billion to $25.1 billion respectively," Hogen said.

"In NIGC Region II, which includes California and Northern Nevada, the revenues have jumped from $1.7 billion in 2001 to $7.1 billion in 2006, which is an increase of four and a half times over a 5 year period."

Chairman Hogen stressed that strong federal oversight has played an important role in the growth of the industry. "The public's continued goodwill is a necessary element to continued growth which is why the role of the NIGC must be reaffirmed" he said.

NIGC Region V, which includes Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas saw a increase in revenues from $1.7 billion in 2005 to $2.1 billion in 2006, a 22 percent increase, which was the largest percentage increase regionally during 2006.

The NIGC receives annual audit reports from tribes conducting gaming operations in accordance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. As the fiscal year utilized by tribal operations vary, compilations of annual totals are finalized in June of the following year. The NIGC's revenue numbers are based on the audit reports of 387 gaming operations. Gaming revenues represent amounts wagered less prizes paid.

In addition to regional data, the NIGC has provided a historical comparison between facilities based on revenue and a bar graph illustrating the growth in Indian gaming since 1996.

The NIGC is an independent regulatory agency established within the Department of the Interior pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.

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