Arizona tribal casino state contribution down by 2.9%

Arizona has 23 tribal casinos offering slots, jackpot poker, blackjack, keno and off-track parimutuel wagering via Class III licenses with these venues handing over one to eight percent of their gross gaming revenues to state and local bodies each quarter.

These contributions are subsequently used to support the state’s Instructional Improvement Fund for education as well as programs as diverse as trauma and emergency services and tourism and wildlife conservation efforts.

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The total for the three months to the end of June is predicted to hit $25,006,044 with the Arizona Department Of Gaming blaming the slight year-on-year decline on last year’s opening of the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley, which is operated by the Tohono O’Odham Nation and not regulated by the Arizona Department Of Gaming

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“While we have seen a small change in gaming revenues, the numbers still showcase how well the gaming industry is doing around Arizona and the high consumer confidence people have while living and playing in our state,” read a statement from Daniel Bergin, Director for the Arizona Department Of Gaming.

State and local bodies in the western state received $23.9 million in casino contributions for the first three months of the year, which represented a 5.1% drop year-on-year and brought to an end six consecutive quarters of growth.

“We are disappointed in the year-on-year comparison,” read a statement Bergin released in late-April. “We hope this is an aberration and we will continue to track this trend. Nevertheless, over the course of the state’s fiscal year, we have been able to disburse $82.5 million to state agencies.”