Gaming provides nearly $13 million for Arizona education last quarter
May 7, 2018, 4:34 PM | Updated: 6:52 pm
(Pixabay Photo)
(Pixabay Photo)
PHOENIX — A boom in Arizona tribal gaming has resulted in a windfall for the state, including its education system.
The Arizona Department of Gaming said Monday that tribal gaming contributions to the state totaled approximately $94 million during the 2018 fiscal year, which ends on June 30.
That was the second-highest total since the current gaming compact was enacted.
The final quarter of the 2018 fiscal year to date produced nearly $26 million for the Arizona Benefits Fund.
“That’s a healthy 4.3 percent increase over the last quarter of fiscal year 2017,” said Caroline Oppleman, public information officer with the Arizona Department of Gaming.
It was the fifth consecutive quarter in which the contribution has gone up.
Oppleman said recent increases in wager limits and the number of gaming devices are among the factors contributing to the upward trend.
A majority of the Arizona Benefits Fund, 56 percent, goes to the Instructional Improvement Fund, which is administered by the Arizona Department of Education. That came out to $12.9 million for the most recent quarter.
The Arizona Benefits Fund also provides support for trauma and emergency services, wildlife conservation, tourism and problem gambler prevention and treatment.
The state has received more than $1.2 billion from tribal gaming over the course of the current compact.
