Arizona gaming revenues fell a bit in 2016 but were more than compensated for by a dramatic increase in non-gaming revenues that created a final total income of $2.23 billion for the year.
That’s the conclusion reached by Casino City’s Indian Gaming Industry Report, which also reported that the state was one of eight to see gaming revenue decline that year. That was compared to the national Indian casino market that increased 3.9 percent for gaming and 8.2 percent for non-gaming.
Alan Meister, who is the author of the report, said “I can definitely tell you the economy was a big factor and not just in Arizona … but across the country.” He added, “Income was down in 2016 versus 2015, and that is the main key driver of casino spending by patrons.”
Meister continued, “Over the past five years, the Arizona gaming revenue side has declined slightly this past year, it had two pretty flat years, but it had two decent years,” Meister said. “And if you look at the past five years in terms of non-gaming revenue, it’s very strong.”
In Arizona tribal casinos contribute a percentage of gaming profits towards education, emergency services, treatment of problem gambling, tourism and wildlife conservation.
