Tribal casino revenues grew by a modest 2.3 percent in 2008 but Oklahoma continued to lead the way with double-digit gains, the National Indian Gaming Commission said in a report on Wednesday. Tribes in the Tulsa region saw a 18.2 percent increase while tribes in the Oklahoma City area saw a 17.6 percent increase, according to the NIGC. The figures include revenues from a handful of facilities in nearby states but Oklahoma continues to dominate the market. "Much like our facilities grew in the aftermath of 9/11, our facilities have found new customers as Oklahomans have chosen to skip their traditional trips to Las Vegas or the Mississippi coast and visit Oklahoma facilities instead,'' David Qualls, the chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, told The Tulsa World. Oklahoma is home to more than 100 tribal casinos. Some tribes operate multiple facilities, including some close to Texas and Kansas. "It happened at just the right time," Mark Fulton, the senior vice president for operations for Cherokee Nation Enterprises, told the World. "The growth of all of the gaming operations in Oklahoma helped legitimize and position the region as a viable vacation destination when people were wanting to travel closer to home.'' Overall, tribal casinos took in $26.7 billion in 2008, the NIGC reported. That represents a 2.3 percent increase from 2007. Get the Story:
Oklahoma's casino income rises tenfold in 3 years (The Oklahoman 6/4)
They're still in the money: Region's gaming sees strong revenues (The Tulsa World 6/4)
State Indian gaming revenue on the rise (The Norman Transcript 6/4)
Okla. Indian gaming revenue rises by double digits (AP 6/4)
Wagering at Indian sites has declined in region (The Sacramento Bee 6/4)
Indian gaming in Midwest generated $4.4 billion in 2008 (Gannett News 6/4)
