Tribal gaming revenue across the United States achieved a record $43.85 billion for the Fiscal Year 2024, according to figures just released by the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC).
That marked an increase of $2 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR) from the previous year and a 4.6% annual growth in revenue from table games, slot machines, sports betting and iGaming.
It was a record for the Indian gaming industry with both the Oklahoma City and Washington DC regions posted double-digit growth.
NIGC FY 2024 Report In Detail
Each tribe has to submit its financial statements for all class II and class III operations on the Tribe’s Indian lands.
Class II gaming includes bingo and non-banked card games, while class III gambling includes all other forms, including online casinos.
The figures revealed in the NIGC FY2024 Gross Gaming Revenue Report relate to 532 gaming operations owned by 243 federally recognized tribes across 29 states.
Oklahoma City posted $3.63 billion from its 78 operations, up from 2023’s $3.22 billion, an increase of around 12.7% while Washington DC returned 11.2% growth year-on-year with an FY2024 GGR of $10.2 billion from 45 operations.
All eight of NIGC’s regions showed an increase in GGR over FY2023 with Sacramento generating the highest income of $12.1 billion from 87 operations, a 1.4% mark up on the previous year.
The total $43.9 billion is the highest ever GGR for the Indian gaming industry, eclipsing last year’s $41.9 million.
Since 2011 there has only been one year when Indian gaming revenue hasn’t show an increase on the previous term, and that was FY2020, when all gambling operations were severely affected by the Covid pandemic.
Official Reaction From The NIGC
Sharon M Avery, acting chair of the NIGCSharon M Avery, acting chair of the NIGC, said: “This year’s GGR reflects not only the resilience of the tribal gaming industry, but also the dedication of tribal leadership in preserving and growing this important economic driver for their communities.
“The continued success of Indian gaming is a testament to the strong tribal governance and the sound regulation that protects the integrity of the industry.”
Vice chair Jeannie Hovland added: “These revenue numbers demonstrate the positive impacts of tribal gaming and the essential role it plays supporting tribal sovereignty, job growth, infrastructure, education, and important social, health, and welfare programs in tribal communities – just to name a few.
“NIGC remains committed to working with Tribes and their regulators to ensure the long-term integrity and success of Indian gaming.”
Jim Munro is a betting industry and gambling expert who has been a national newspaper journalist for over 30 years, predominantly at The Sunday Times and The Sun, where he wrote a weekly soccer betting column. Jim also worked on the launch of Virgin Bet with Gamesys and was subsequently head of editorial at LiveScore, the sports media and betting group.
