The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) reported record gross gaming revenue for the previous fiscal year.
The federal regulatory agency reported $41.9 billion in gross gaming revenue in FY2023, surpassing 2022’s previous record of $40.9 billion. The results were derived from audited financial statements from 527 gaming operations within 245 tribes across 29 states. The NIGC requires tribes to submit financial statements for Class II and Class III gaming.
“This year’s gross gaming revenue results demonstrate how a strong regulatory framework and diversity of tribal gaming enterprises generates growth in the gaming industry,” said NIGC acting Chairwoman Sharon M. Avery in a statement. “Again, this year, tribal gaming operators and regulators have proven that their ingenuity and tenacity are catalysts for growth, even in the face of an ever-changing gaming landscape.”
Sacramento leads all regions
All eight regions covered by the NIGC posted year-over-year gross revenue growth in FY2023 despite varying factors including regulatory changes, expansion, and closures.
In FY2023, Sacramento led all NIGC regions in gross gaming revenue at $11.9 billion. The region, home to 87 operations, posted $11.7 billion in gross revenue in FY2022.
The D.C. region closed FY2023 with the second-highest gross revenue for NIGC regions.
In FY2023, the region’s 44 operations generated $9.1 billion in gross revenue, up 2.4% year-over-year. St. Paul rounded out the top three regions with $5 billion in gross revenue in FY2023. By comparison, St. Paul saw gross revenue reach $4.9 billion in FY2022.
Portland closed FY2023 as the region with the fourth-highest gross revenue rate.
The region, home to 53 operations, posted $4.5 billion in revenue in FY2023. For the fiscal year prior, gross revenue in Portland closed at $4.4 billion. The region includes federal tribes throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska.
Competitive landscape
The Oklahoma City, Phoenix and Tulsa regions reported similar results in FY2023. That year, Phoenix posted $3.9 billion in gross revenue, up 5.5% compared to FY2022. The region includes 54 operations in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and a portion of Nevada.
Tulsa posted $3.5 billion in gross revenue in FY2023, a slight uptick from the $3.4 billion for the year prior. Its neighboring region, Oklahoma City, reported $3.2 billion in gross revenue in FY2023. By comparison, the region generated $3.1 billion in gross revenue in FY2022.
The NIGC’s Oklahoma City region includes one of America’s most populous states, Texas.
Rapid City’s 45 operations closed FY2023 with the lowest gross revenue for NIGC tribal regions at $425.8 million, up from $406.1 million for the fiscal year prior.
The NIGC guides tribal operations but also ensures proper federal oversight of gaming. The commission also reviews and responds to instances of corruption and lack of integrity while continuing to work within the framework of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
