For Immediate Release ~ July 13, 2004
Contact: Shawn Pensoneau ~ (202) 632-7003

NIGC Announces Indian Gaming Revenue for 2003

Washington, DC – National Indian Gaming Commission Chairman Phil Hogen announced today that national 2003 gross gaming revenues for Indian gaming facilities topped $16.7 billion, an increase of $2 billion or 13.7 percent over 2002 gross gaming revenues.

"The Indian gaming industry has grown significantly and steadily throughout the past decade," said Chairman Hogen. "This growth has allowed tribes to create jobs, develop economically, build infrastructure within their communities and provide services for tribal members."

The $16.7 billion figure is based on audited financial statements received by the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) for gaming operations with fiscal years ending in 2003. The figure is based on statements received by June 30, 2004.

Additionally, the NIGC has broken-down the $16.7 billion by the agency's six regions.

Region II, which includes California, accounted for approximately 50 percent of the total increase in revenues. Region II revenues increased by almost 28 percent for the year compared to 9 percent for the other regions.

In addition to regional information, the NIGC has provided a historical comparison between facilities based on ranges of gaming revenue. Prior year numbers have been adjusted to reflect audit reports received subsequent to June 30 of the reporting year. Attached are two charts providing this data and a bar graph illustrating the growth in Indian gaming since 1995.

The NIGC is an independent regulatory agency established within the Department of the Interior pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.

National Indian Gaming Commission Tribal Gaming Revenues (in thousands) by Region Fiscal Year 2003 and 2002   Fiscal Year 2003 Fiscal Year 2002 Increase (decrease) Number of Operations Gaming Revenues Number of Operations Gaming Revenues Number of Operations Gaming Revenues Region I 43 1,439,516 47 1,230,194 (4) 209,322 Region II 54 4,699,889 51 3,678,095 3 1,021,794 Region III 43 1,898,522 40 1,782,874 3 115,648 Region IV 91 3,547,360 109 3,537,227 (18) 10,133 Region V 75 822,727 79 651,841 (4) 170,886 Region VI 24 4,322,134 22 3,835,825 2 486,309 Totals 330 16,730,148 348 14,716,056 (18) 2,014,092 Compiled from gaming operation audit reports received and entered by the NIGC through June 30, 2004. Region I Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Region II California, Northern Nevada.  Region III Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Southern Nevada.   Region IV Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin Region V Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Region VI   Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and New York.

National Indian Gaming Commission Tribal Gaming Revenues   Gaming Revenue Range Number of Operations Revenues (in thousands) Percentage of Mean (in thousands) Median (in thousands) Operations Revenues Gaming operations with fiscal years ending in 2003 $100 million and over 43 10,714,581 13% 64% 249,176 184,332 $50 million to $100 million 35 2,459,698 11% 15% 70,277 65,416 $25 million to $50 million 55 1,984,673 17% 12% 36,085 37,029 $10 million to $25 million 67 1,144,779 20% 7% 17,086 16,894 $3 million to $10 million 57 350,398 17% 2% 6,147 5,819 Under $3 million 73 76,019 22% 0% 1,041 833 Total 330 16,730,148         Gaming operations with fiscal years ending in 2002 $100 million and over 41 9,510,660 12% 65% 231,967 179,101 $50 million to $100 million 24 1,694,606 7% 12% 70,609 65,577 $25 million to $50 million 55 1,978,519 16% 13% 35,976 38,984 $10 million to $25 million 65 1,067,513 19% 7% 16,423 16,570 $3 million to $10 million 63 386,399 18% 3% 6,133 5,373 Under $3 million 100 78,359 29%  1%  784 461 Total 348 14,716,056         Gaming operations with fiscal years ending in 2001 $100 million and over 39 8,398,523 12% 65% 215,347 158,836 $50 million to $100 million 19 1,415,755 6% 11% 74,513 79,083 $25 million to $50 million 43 1,528,611 13% 12% 35,549 34,264 $10 million to $25 million 58 997,546 18% 8% 17,199 16,328 $3 million to $10 million 57 385,654 17% 3% 6,766 7,292 Under $3 million 114 96,257 35% 1% 844 575 Total 330 12,822,346         Gaming operations with fiscal years ending in 2000 $100 million and over 31 6,606,284 10% 60% 213,106 141,684 $50 million to $100 million 24 1,693,510 8% 15% 70,563 73,314 $25 million to $50 million 41 1,360,777 13% 12% 33,190 29,944 $10 million to $25 million 50 856,464 16% 8% 17,129 17,335 $3 million to $10 million 55 350,110 18% 3% 6,366 6,250 Under $3 million 110 91,545 35% 1% 832 541 Total 311 10,958,690         Gaming operations with fiscal years ending in 1999 $100 million and over 28 5,845,787 9% 60% 208,778 136,897 $50 million to $100 million 19 1,323,995 6% 14% 69,684 70,412 $25 million to $50 million 33 1,193,049 11% 12% 36,153 35,990 $10 million to $25 million 59 1,028,834 19% 10% 17,438 17,562 $3 million to $10 million 54 322,268 17% 3% 5,968 5,764 Under $3 million 117 86,907 38% 1% 537 395 Total 310 9,800,840         Compiled from gaming operation audit reports received and entered by the NIGC through June 30, 2004.

Growth in Indian Gaming Source: National Indian Gaming Commission