Nine successive quarters of increased gaming revenue help support Arizona | News

The following is from a news release from the Arizona Department of Gaming:

Arizona Department of Gaming announced today that tribal contributions to the state from gaming revenue will be approximately $23.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2012.  This is a 3.2 percent increase from the same quarter of last year. It also marks the 9th consecutive quarter increase.

“The latest figures are encouraging,” said Arizona Department of Gaming Director Mark Brnovich. “While the national economy continues to flounder, for nine consecutive quarters we have seen an increase in tribal contributions in Arizona.  This trend is a positive economic sign for our state and critical programs will continue to receive funding.”

The quarterly tribal contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund will be distributed as follows:

• Instructional Improvement Fund/Education:                                                 $11,909,592
• Trauma and Emergency Services Fund:                                                       $  5,954,796
• Arizona Department of Gaming operating costs:                                         $  2,150,609
• Arizona Wildlife Conservation Fund:                                                               $  1,701,370
• State Tourism Fund:                                                                                           $  1,701,370
• Problem Gambling Education, Treatment and Prevention:                        $     477,913
• TOTAL tribal contributions for the quarter ended September 30, 2012:   $23,895,650

The Arizona Department of Gaming, in partnership with Arizona’s tribes, regulates Indian gaming.  Under the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact, tribes with casinos contribute one to eight percent of their Class III gross gaming revenue to the state, cities, towns and counties.  In Arizona, Class III gaming includes slot machines, jackpot poker, blackjack, keno and off-track pari-mutuel betting.  There are currently 22 Class III casinos in the state.  Tribes send contributions to the state Arizona Benefits Fund every three months.