Post by Okwes on Mar 22, 2007 15:06:31 GMT -5
Arizona's gaming industry near the top nationwide
The Arizona Republic
Gamblers parted with $1.9 billion at racetracks, Indian casinos, lottery lines and charitable raffles here in 2005, making Arizona the 12th-largest gaming economy in the country, according to a report due out today.
Casino City's North American Gaming Almanac shows that every type of legalized gambling, except for race and sports betting, was up nationwide a year ago, according to the earliest data available. That trend held true in Arizona.
Gaming revenue grew nearly 13 percent in Arizona from 2004 to 2005, compared with 6 percent nationally. Indian casino revenue shot up 14 percent and lottery sales rose 6 percent in the state. Meanwhile, race and sports wagering dropped 0.1 percent.
As Indian casinos grow in number and popularity, gamblers are choosing them over racetracks, said Brad Polan, gaming industry analyst for Casino City, a Massachusetts information center.
"In general, parimutuel betting has been on a decline," he said.
The top states were Nevada, California and New Jersey, with $11.7 billion, $10.3 billion and $6.4 billion in total gaming revenue, respectively.
Although Arizona gaming showed blockbuster revenue growth, there are signs it is slowing. Consider that from 2003 to 2004, the state's gaming revenue grew 17 percent, compared with 13 percent during the latest survey, according to the almanac.
"I think it's going to steadily grow," Polan said, "but I don't think you'll see a huge growth like you have the last few years because only so many casinos can be built in Arizona."
The report does not delve into the specifics of Indian gaming revenue because tribes don't often share that information.
There are four casinos, run by local tribes, near Tucson: two run by the Yaqui tribe, Casino del Sol and Casino of the Sun, and two by the Tohono O'odham, the Desert Diamond Casinos.
A handful of private companies like Casino City collect what data they can and publish their research, but revenue estimates tend to vary.
Tribal gaming eventually will hit a ceiling, said Sheila Morago, executive director of the Arizona Indian Gaming Association.
State compacts limit the number of slot machines and casinos that tribes can own.
The Arizona Republic
Gamblers parted with $1.9 billion at racetracks, Indian casinos, lottery lines and charitable raffles here in 2005, making Arizona the 12th-largest gaming economy in the country, according to a report due out today.
Casino City's North American Gaming Almanac shows that every type of legalized gambling, except for race and sports betting, was up nationwide a year ago, according to the earliest data available. That trend held true in Arizona.
Gaming revenue grew nearly 13 percent in Arizona from 2004 to 2005, compared with 6 percent nationally. Indian casino revenue shot up 14 percent and lottery sales rose 6 percent in the state. Meanwhile, race and sports wagering dropped 0.1 percent.
As Indian casinos grow in number and popularity, gamblers are choosing them over racetracks, said Brad Polan, gaming industry analyst for Casino City, a Massachusetts information center.
"In general, parimutuel betting has been on a decline," he said.
The top states were Nevada, California and New Jersey, with $11.7 billion, $10.3 billion and $6.4 billion in total gaming revenue, respectively.
Although Arizona gaming showed blockbuster revenue growth, there are signs it is slowing. Consider that from 2003 to 2004, the state's gaming revenue grew 17 percent, compared with 13 percent during the latest survey, according to the almanac.
"I think it's going to steadily grow," Polan said, "but I don't think you'll see a huge growth like you have the last few years because only so many casinos can be built in Arizona."
The report does not delve into the specifics of Indian gaming revenue because tribes don't often share that information.
There are four casinos, run by local tribes, near Tucson: two run by the Yaqui tribe, Casino del Sol and Casino of the Sun, and two by the Tohono O'odham, the Desert Diamond Casinos.
A handful of private companies like Casino City collect what data they can and publish their research, but revenue estimates tend to vary.
Tribal gaming eventually will hit a ceiling, said Sheila Morago, executive director of the Arizona Indian Gaming Association.
State compacts limit the number of slot machines and casinos that tribes can own.