The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) announced the U.S. tribal gaming industry had an all-time $43.9 billion gross gaming revenue (GGR) high for fiscal year 2024.
This amount is up $2 billion compared with the previous year and 4.6% higher across all Class II and Class III tribal gaming.
Key takeaways
- Tribal gaming generated a record $43.9 billion in FY 2024, with notable growth in every NIGC administrative region.
- The Sacramento, D.C., and St. Paul regions were the highest income generators, while Oklahoma City saw the fastest growth.
- A small number of large-scale operations continue to account for the majority of overall tribal gaming revenue.
The data reflects audited financial reports from 532 operations 243 federally-recognized tribes operated in 29 states. Each of NIGC's eight administrative regions experienced growth, with the Oklahoma City and Washington, D.C., areas posting the highest year-on-year increases at 12.7% and 11.2%, respectively. The Sacramento region led in absolute terms, recording $12.1 billion in GGR.
Despite smaller total revenues, even less prominent areas such as Rapid City saw meaningful expansion, growing 4.2% to $443.9 million. Meanwhile, regions like Tulsa and Phoenix experienced only marginal gains.
A significant income imbalance remains. Over half of all operations earned less than $25 million annually but contributed just 4.9% of total GGR. In contrast, 8.5% of tribal casinos surpassed $250 million in profit, generating 54.5% of the total.
New tribal self-exclusion program launched in March
Building on this momentum, tribal leaders introduced a nationwide responsible gaming initiative. In March, the Tribal-Wide Self-Exclusion Program debuted in Wisconsin, offering individuals a streamlined process to voluntarily ban themselves from all participating tribal casinos in a single step.
The advisory board includes executives and chairs of prominent tribal and regulatory bodies. The initiative demonstrates the industry's enhanced drive for community health and responsible play procedures, solidifying industry leadership in player care.
California tribes back bill targeting sweepstakes casinos
Parallel to these developments, California tribal entities strongly supported Assembly Bill 831, which seeks to ban online sweepstakes casinos using dual-currency models. Amended in June, the measure prohibits facilitating or promoting such gambling schemes, including actions by affiliates, media, and payment processors.
Introduced by Assemblymember Avelino Valencia, the legislation aims to strengthen California's legal framework in favor of tribally operated gaming. Tribes argue these unregulated platforms undermine state law and voter-backed tribal compacts.
The California Nations Indian Gaming Association and the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation are co-hosts, emphasizing legal tribal action aided state communities and upheld consumer protection for over two decades.
The measure is consistent with a national trend, with simultaneous bills gaining momentum in other states as efforts seek to prevent the development of dual-currency online gambling sites operating outside regulatory restraints.
