Tribes leave $7.2 billion impact on economy in Oklahoma thanks to Indian gaming

Tuesday, August 8, 2017  

Oklahoma is home to more Indian gaming facilities than any other state and the industry shows no signs of slowing down.

According to the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, tribal gaming left a $7.2 billion impact on the state's economy in fiscal year 2016. The organization's leader told KWGS that the figure is likely to reach $10 billion for the current year.

"A report just came out that gaming growth in Oklahoma is up almost 5 percent last year, so it'd be reasonable to say we're an almost $10 billion economic impact for Oklahoma in 2016," Chair David Qualls, who is a citizen of the Peoria Tribe, told KWGS.

Oklahoma is home to 131 tribal facilities, the most of any state. The region has continued to experience growth, according to data released by the National Indian Gaming Commission, a federal agency

Revenues in the Oklahoma City region, for example, increased 5.7 percent in 2016. In the Tulsa region, revenues grew 4.0 percent.

In Oklahoma City region, which also includes facilities in Texas, gross gaming revenues were $2.3 billion. In the Tulsa region, which includes casinos in Kansas, revenues hit $2.3 billion.

“The success reflected in the 2016 gross gaming revenue is due, at least in part, to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act’s promotion of tribal self-determination principles,” Chairman Jonodev O. Chaudhuri. of the NIGC said in a press release. Overall, tribal casinos took in $31.2 billion, an increase of 4.4 percent.

More detailed information about the 2016 gross gaming revenue can be found at nigc.gov/public-affairs/media-center.

Read More on the Story:
Indian Gaming Considered Among Oklahoma's Biggest Industries (KWGS 8/7)

Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association details economic benefits of casinos (July 26, 2017)