In fiscal year 2025, tribal casinos in the U.S. achieved a record-breaking gross gaming revenue (GGR) of $46.2 billion, marking a 5% increase from the previous year. This information comes from the latest annual report by the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), released on Tuesday.
The report, which analyzed data from 545 facilities operated by approximately 250 tribes across 29 states, reveals that Indian gaming has consistently set new GGR records annually since 2011, with the exception of 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic impacted operations.
Billy Kirkland, Vice Chair of the NIGC, emphasized the significance of Indian gaming in supporting tribal economies and enabling tribal governments to provide essential services to their communities. "Indian gaming is an important contributor to tribal economies that empowers sovereign tribal governments to invest in their communities and provide their citizens with essential services," he stated. He also noted the commitment of the Trump administration to work alongside tribal leaders to ensure the longevity of these benefits.
While several federal agencies deal with Indian affairs, the NIGC stands out as the only agency dedicated solely to tribal gaming. However, the commission's effectiveness has faced scrutiny, especially given that it has lacked a confirmed chair or a complete three-commissioner roster since February 2024, following the departure of long-time chairman Sequoyah Simermeyer to join FanDuel.
During this interim, Commissioner Sharon Avery acted as chair until January when Kirkland was sworn in to replace former vice chair Jeannie Hovland, who left the commission in April. Since President Trump took office in January 2025, he has not nominated a new chair for the NIGC, which led to the closure of seven regional offices in November, prompting concerns within the industry.
Avery remarked on the positive GGR results, crediting them to tribal regulators and operators' dedication to responsible growth and community benefits.
Regionally, the report indicated that seven out of the eight areas monitored by the NIGC experienced year-over-year increases in revenues. The only exception was the "Rapid City" region, covering the Dakotas and surrounding areas, which saw a slight decline of less than 1% to $439.8 million.
The top performer, as usual, was the "Sacramento" region, encompassing California and northern Nevada, with GGR totaling $12.6 billion, a 4% increase year-over-year. For context, the Las Vegas Strip recorded a GGR of $5.5 billion during the same period.
The "Washington, DC" region, covering most of the East Coast from Florida to North Carolina and New York, was the second-best performer, achieving a GGR of $11.2 billion, a notable 10% year-over-year increase—the highest of any region.
In Oklahoma, the NIGC divides the state into two regions. The "Oklahoma City" region, covering western Oklahoma and Texas, and the "Tulsa" region, covering eastern Oklahoma and Kansas, both reported GGR of $3.7 billion, marking increases of 3% and 2.5%, respectively.
Other regional results included:
– "St Paul" region (MN, WI, IA, NE, MI, IN): $5.3 billion, +3%
– "Portland" region (OR, WA, ID, AK): $4.9 billion, +5%
– "Phoenix" region (AZ, CO, NM, southern NV): $4.2 billion, +5%
Despite the favorable revenue figures, a looming challenge for Indian Country is the rise of prediction markets. Many gaming tribes from across the U.S. have united against these platforms, leading to legal action in various states.
Tribes from California, Wisconsin, and New Mexico have filed lawsuits against prediction market operators, alleging violations of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and state gambling compacts. Although the impact of prediction markets on tribal gaming has yet to be fully reflected in revenue data, tribal leaders caution that the situation could worsen if unaddressed.
James Siva, chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, noted that prediction markets might have already diverted about 5% of tribal gaming revenue since they gained traction in late 2024 during the presidential election cycle. He warned that the effects could escalate significantly, potentially leading to a projected 25% loss in GGR within the next year, which would severely disrupt funding for essential services like the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education, and Indian Health Services.
At a recent subcommittee hearing addressing prediction markets, David Bean, chairman of the Indian Gaming Association, criticized the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for its perceived alignment with private interests, describing it as a "one-person agency". During the hearing, he highlighted the dangers of unrestricted access to prediction markets, stating, "Thanks to a one-person agency, every teenager can now lose their shirt without leaving their dorm room."
