The revenue from Indian casinos in the U.S. jumped 40 percent in FY 2021 from the previous year, reaching a record high of $39 billion. Of course, 2020 was the first year of Covid, but the 2021 revenues were also a 13 percent increase compared to FY 2019. That is the highest in Indian gaming history.
The revenues for FY 2021 were compiled from independently audited statements of 510 casinos owned by 243 federally recognized gaming tribes across 29 states.
It was a year where the greatest increase in revenue followed the year of its greatest decrease, which had been created by the pandemic forcing the closure of nearly all casinos nationwide for weeks or months.
National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) Chairman E. Sequoyah Simermeyer and Vice Chairwoman Vice Chair Jeannie Hovland made the record announcement live on August 10 at the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Tradeshow and Conference (OIGA) in Tulsa.
Simermeyer declared, “NIGC recognizes this year’s rebound has not been felt equally by all tribes. We are committed to helping all tribal operations benefit from the regulatory lessons learned over the past two years.” The chairman added, “As we seek to build the regulatory workforce’s preparedness, all parts of the Indian gaming industry have a responsibility to learn from the experiences of tribes who have forged the path so we preserve those lessons and ensure we retain that knowledge for generations to come.”
Simermeyer continued, “While last year experienced a record number of closures there was also growth with new operations opening. This demonstrates gaming operations and tribes are making difficult decisions as they navigate a rebound from the pandemic.”
Hovland added, ”The industry has much to celebrate and be proud of.” Hovland said. “With 43 gaming operations reporting GGR greater than $250 million and accounting for more than 50% of total revenues, this year’s revenues underscore the wide diversity in gaming operations across Indian country.”
According to a press release from NIGC: “With the pandemic still at the top of mind for tribes, Indian gaming continues to show its resiliency through innovative operational advancements and the steadfast leadership of tribal regulatory authorities.”
According to NIGC figures, the revenues in Oklahoma City and surrounding areas grew 49.9 percent, while the Tulsa region grew by 46.7 percent. Tribes in those regions operated 144 casinos in 2021, the most of any region in the country.
However, the largest regional increase came from the Rapid City region, which includes 41 tribal casinos in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. That region increased by a whopping 56 percent.
Other regions that made impressive gains included the Portland region, which has 56 tribal casinos across Idaho, Oregon and Washington, with a 42.6 percent increase for a total gross gaming revenue of $4.4 billion; and the Sacramento region, which includes the gaming powerhouses of California and Nevada with 78 casinos and a gross gaming revenue of $11.9 billion.
Congress enacted the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) in 1988. The act also created the NIGC and regulatory structure for Indian gaming. The commission consists of three full-time members, and chairman and two associate members, with the chairman appointed by the President and the others by the Secretary of the Interior.
