In fiscal year 2025, tribal casinos across the United States recorded a gross gaming revenue (GGR) of $46.2 billion, a new milestone reflecting a 5% increase from the previous year, as reported on Tuesday by the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC). This marks a continuation of a trend, with GGR records being set in Indian gaming for every fiscal year since 2011, except for 2020, when the Covid pandemic severely impacted revenues.
NIGC Vice Chair Billy Kirkland emphasized the significance of Indian gaming, noting its vital role in empowering tribal governments to invest in their communities and provide essential services for their citizens. “The Trump administration is proud to work alongside tribal leaders to ensure these benefits endure for future generations,” Kirkland stated.
Though several federal agencies oversee matters related to Indian affairs, the NIGC focuses exclusively on tribal gaming. The commission has faced challenges, especially after longtime chairman Sequoyah Simermeyer resigned in February 2024 to join FanDuel. Since then, the NIGC has operated without a full slate of commissioners. Acting Chair Sharon Avery returned to her previous associate role in January, and Kirkland stepped in to fill the vice chair position after Jeannie Hovland left in April. President Trump has yet to nominate a new chair for the commission since he took office in January 2025. This leadership vacuum has led many industry stakeholders to question the commission's effectiveness, particularly after it closed seven regional offices in November 2024.
Avery remarked, “These GGR results reflect the continued commitment of tribal regulators and operators to responsible growth and community benefit.”
Regionally, the NIGC's report showed that seven of the eight geographic regions demonstrated year-over-year growth in FY25. The only exception was the Rapid City region, which includes the Dakotas and surrounding areas, reporting a minor decline of less than 1%, totaling $439.8 million.
The Sacramento region, which covers California and northern Nevada, continued to lead performance with an impressive GGR of $12.6 billion, reflecting a 4% increase year-over-year. In comparison, the Las Vegas Strip reported a GGR of $5.5 billion during the same period.
The second most successful region was Washington, DC, spanning much of the eastern United States, from Florida to New York, with a GGR of $11.2 billion, marking a significant 10% increase. Tribal gaming in Oklahoma is split into two NIGC regions, with both areas—Oklahoma City and Tulsa—reporting GGRs of $3.7 billion, representing increases of 3% and 2.5%, respectively.
Other noteworthy 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 growth reported, Indian Country faces challenges from emerging prediction markets. Numerous tribes from California, Wisconsin, and New Mexico have initiated lawsuits against prediction market operators, alleging violations of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and existing state gambling compacts. While the financial effects of these prediction markets have not yet been reflected in tribal revenues, industry leaders are concerned about potential future impacts.
James Siva, chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, shared his worries, indicating that prediction markets have reportedly diverted about 5% of tribal gaming revenue since they gained traction in late 2024, coinciding with the presidential election season. He cautioned that if the trend continues, tribal revenues could plummet by as much as 25% in the upcoming year. “Put it in congressional numbers, that’s the equivalent of defunding the BIA, the Bureau of Indian Education and Indian Health Services. That’s how much revenue that we all use to improve the lives of our citizens that is potentially leaving Indian country,” Siva stated.
At a recent House subcommittee hearing on prediction markets, Indian Gaming Association Chairman David Bean criticized the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a "one-person agency" that favors private interests. He highlighted the risks, saying, “Thanks to a one-person agency, every teenager can now lose their shirt without leaving their dorm room.”
