OKLAHOMA CITY -- National Indian Gaming Commission figures released Wednesday indicate that tribal gaming revenues in Oklahoma and two adjoining states rose to more than $3 billion last year.
The commission announced the figures at a gaming conference in Washington, D.C., and the two Oklahoma regions tracked by the commission showed the strongest growth in the nation.
The Oklahoma City region, which includes western Oklahoma and Texas, has 48 gaming operations and produced $1.347 billion in revenues, up 17.6 percent from the previous year. Meanwhile, the Tulsa region, which includes eastern Oklahoma and Kansas, has 62 gaming operations that produced $1.699 billion in revenues, an increase of 18.2 percent.
Nationally, revenues totaled $26.738 billion, up 2.3 percent from 2007. More than 240 of the nation's 562 American Indian tribes engage in gaming, operating more than 400 casinos and bingo halls in 28 states.
The two Oklahoma regions were the only ones nationally to show a double-digit percentage increase. The Oklahoma City region has three more operations than in 2007, while the Tulsa region has five more.
Mark Fulton, the senior vice president for operations for Cherokee Nation Enterprises, which operates seven gaming facilities -- including casinos in Catoosa, West Siloam Springs, Fort Gibson, Tahlequah, Sallisaw and Roland -- said the tribe is not surprised at the growth of Oklahoma casinos.
He said the region's tribes have made significant reinvestments in their gaming facilities during the past year.
"As other states were being impacted by high gas prices and recessionary tightening, such as California and Las Vegas, this region was expanding its offerings with hotels, more amenities and entertainment. It happened at just the right time," Fulton said.
"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."
Two regions showed revenue declines -- Sacramento, which includes California and northern Nevada, fell by 5.6 percent, while Phoenix, which includes Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and southern Nevada, dropped by 3.5 percent. The Sacramento region still had the highest overall annual revenues, with $7.363 billion generated by 59 operations.
"We know that the economic downturn has impacted casino and bingo hall patrons, and reports from many tribal gaming facilities reflect that," said Phil Hogen, the commission's chairman.
He said that reports indicate that while crowds at tribal gaming facilities aren't diminishing, the amount patrons are spending there is.
Local news
State Indian gaming revenue on the rise
- Local news
-
-
Special zoning requested
The Norman Planning Commission meets Thursday and will consider special zoning for Joy’s Palace and a preliminary plat for the Fountain View North addition....
-
Norman looks at transportation package to fix traffic, flooding issues
The Robinson Street Underpass Project currently under way from Flood Avenue to Stubbeman Avenue is one project approved by Norman voters in the 2005 Bond Election. By securing funding with the bond, city staff was able to qualify for ...
-
Lexington city manager resigns
Lexington City Manager Jason Orr resigned in the city’s special council meeting Monday night, which was scheduled to discuss his employment in light of a misdemeanor charge of domestic abuse....
-
Norman North student is finalist in statewide contest
Norman North High School senior Joseph D’Amato is one of four finalists in the high school category for the Keep Oklahoma Beautiful’s End Litter video contest....
-
Services Friday for longtime car dealer Tommy Ferguson
Friends and family will gather Friday to remember longtime local automobile dealer Tommy Ferguson, 72. He died Monday after a lengthy illness....
-
Senate hopefuls reach out to county Republicans
Four men seeking the Republican nomination in Cleveland County’s Senate District 15 seat pledged Tuesday to cut taxes, eliminate unnecessary government services and open their personal tax returns....
-
Police chief: Investigation of official ‘a bad deal all around’
Police Chief Deana Allen has worked in Lexington for 18 years, and she likes it because it’s been calm, quiet and peaceful — at least until recently....
-
Technology, art combine
The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at the University of Oklahoma invites the public to a live video chat with artist Kiki Smith at 4 p.m. Thursday....
-
Norman robot teams invade competition
Two Norman area robotic teams have excelled in respective competitions, with the Sooner Norman Advanced Robotics Collaboration taking top honors and a First Lego League team, the OzBots, advancing to compete at a World Festival in April....
-
Panel kills bill to end exemption
A bill to end Oklahoma’s sales tax exemption for newspapers and magazines has been defeated in a Senate committee....
- More Local news Headlines
-
Special zoning requested
