Tribal Government Gaming

California Tribal Government Gaming - Economic Benefits

At present, there are over 50 tribal casinos in California. The vast majority of these gaming facilities are situated in isolated rural areas. Still, the economic impact of tribal government gaming has been felt throughout the state. At a time when the overall economy is stagnant, tribal government gaming has become an increasingly reliable revenue source in benefiting numerous communities.

Tribal government gaming directly employs more than 57,000 Californians, with three times as many people employed by local vendors and businesses near reservations that enjoy good working relationships with the tribes.

The benefits of tribal government gaming in California alone come in many forms:

California

• More than 57,300 Californians employed by tribal gaming facilities
• Nearly $2 billion in wages and benefits
• Billions of dollars in overall economic activity
• More than 150,000 jobs created indirectly, generating billions more in wages and benefits
• Nearly $450 million in federal and state payroll taxes generated annually
• As mandated in the Tribal-State Compact, payments made by tribes to the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund, the Special Distribution Fund and the state's General Fund from 2000 to September 30, 2005 totaled $543.4 million.
• Tribes also donate an estimated $70 million annually to local charities and community groups.

Nationwide

• More than 670,000 jobs created by tribal gaming operations
• In 2006 alone, Indian gaming provided $11 billion to federal and state governments through employment, income, sales and excise taxes, and revenue sharing agreements
• Tribes provided more than $100 million to local communities pursuant to tribal-state compacts
• Tribes gave an additional $150 million to local and national charitable organizations
• Tribal governments spent nearly $340 million to regulate Indian gaming, including more than $255 million on tribal regulation and $70 million to state gaming regulatory agencies