On Friday (11 October) the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADoG) reported that the state’s gaming tribes contributed $43.9m (£33.6m/ €40.3m) to the state’s benefits fund. The contribution is 3.6% higher than the same quarter last year.
Of that total reported, $887,527 will go to Arizona problem and responsible gambling initiatives while $4m covers ADoG operating costs. Tribal casinos don’t pay taxes to the state, but are compacted to pay the state and some cities, towns and counties a percentage of gross gaming revenue (GGR).
At the state level, funds from the Arizona Benefits Fund are earmarked for education, emergency and trauma services, tourism and wildlife conservation. Education will get the biggest chunk, $28.9m for the quarter, followed by emergency services, which will get $11m.
Cumulative contributions top $2bn
According to the ADoG cumulative report, total contributions to the state’s education fund surpassed a billion dollars since 2004. In that first year, tribes contributed a total of $40m to state projects, compared to $158.1m in 2024. In total, the tribes have contributed $2.1bn to the state and $259.2m to the cities, towns and counties. Arizona jurisdictions took in $2.6m in 2004 compared to $21m in FY2024.
“We are pleased to report yet another increase in the first quarter of FY2025, reflecting steady growth in the state’s tribal gaming industry,” ADoG director Jackie Johnson said via press release. “This growth highlights the continued strength of the partnership between the state and our Arizona tribal partners.”
Arizona currently has 18 gaming tribes operating 25 gambling locations. It is also compacted with six non-gaming tribes, which do offer slot machines. In April 2021, the state legislature approved a gaming expansion for legal sports betting, and wagering went live in September. Currently, seven professional sports teams/venues and 10 tribes partner with wagering platforms. The most recent licensees are Plannatech and Sporttrade, both of which were awarded licences in August.
