In fiscal year 2025, US tribal casinos achieved a remarkable milestone by generating $46.2 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR), marking a new record and a 5% increase from the preceding year. This update comes from the latest annual report by the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), which was published on Tuesday.
The NIGC’s report draws upon data from a total of 545 facilities operated by approximately 250 tribes spread across 29 states. Since 2011, Indian gaming has consistently set GGR records annually, with the exception of 2020, a year severely impacted by the Covid pandemic.
"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," stated NIGC Vice Chair Billy Kirkland. He added that the Trump administration was dedicated to collaborating with tribal leaders to ensure these benefits persist for future generations.
While various federal agencies deal with Indian affairs, the NIGC stands out as the sole body focused exclusively on tribal gaming. However, the commission has faced challenges; it has not had a confirmed chair or a full three-member roster since February 2024, after former chairman Sequoyah Simermeyer transitioned to a position at FanDuel.
Commissioner Sharon Avery had served as interim chair but returned to her associate role in January. Kirkland took over the vice chair position from Jeannie Hovland, who departed in April. Since Donald Trump assumed the presidency in January 2025, he has yet to nominate a new NIGC chair, raising concerns within the industry. This state of uncertainty contributed to the closure of seven regional offices last November.
Avery emphasized that the GGR results reflect the ongoing commitment of tribal regulators and operators to responsible growth and community benefits.
Regionally, seven of the eight areas monitored by the NIGC reported year-over-year increases for FY25. The only area that did not was the “Rapid City” region, which includes the Dakotas and surrounding states, experiencing a slight drop of less than 1% ($439.8 million).
Leading the regions once more was the “Sacramento” region, which includes California and northern Nevada. This area reported a GGR of $12.6 billion, a 4% rise from the prior year. For context, the Las Vegas Strip reported a GGR of $5.5 billion for the same timeframe.
The “Washington, DC” region, which covers a majority of the east coast from Florida up through North Carolina and New York, was the second-best performing region with a GGR of $11.2 billion, reflecting a substantial 10% increase, the largest of any region.
Oklahoma’s tribal gaming is divided into two regions—“Oklahoma City” tracking western Oklahoma and Texas, while “Tulsa” covers eastern Oklahoma and Kansas. Both regions reported GGR of $3.7 billion, with increases of 3% for Oklahoma City and 2.5% for Tulsa.
The data for other regions indicate the following results:
"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 this growth, Indian Country faces significant challenges from the emergence of prediction markets. Tribal gaming representatives from California, Wisconsin, and New Mexico have initiated legal actions against these platforms, alleging violations of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and state gambling agreements. While the immediate financial impact of prediction markets on tribal gaming remains unclear, industry leaders warn of potential future consequences.
James Siva, chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, remarked that early assessments suggest prediction markets have detracted approximately 5% from tribal gaming revenue since their inception late in 2024. He stated that if these markets continue to grow, tribal GGR could suffer a catastrophic loss of up to 25% within the next year. Siva equated this revenue decrease to significant cuts in federal funding for key services like the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education, and Indian Health Services.
In a House subcommittee hearing on prediction markets, David Bean, chairman of the Indian Gaming Association, criticized the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as a “one-person agency” overly influenced by private interests. During the session, testimony was also provided by a former CFTC general counsel. Bean remarked, "Thanks to a one-person agency, every teenager can now lose their shirt without leaving their dorm room."
