Arizona Department of Gaming reports quarterly tribal gaming decline
Jun 21, 2020, 4:25 AM | Updated: 12:06 pm
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Gaming on Monday reported a decline in tribal gaming contributions for the fourth quarter of the 2020 fiscal year.
The 5.2% decrease, which still totaled $25.5 million in contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund, was compared to the fourth quarter of 2019.
“Like much of Arizona, our tribal partners did their part and closed casinos to help prevent the spread of COVID19.” Ted Vogt, director of the Arizona Department of Gaming, said in a press release. “While this signifies the first tribal gaming revenue decrease in three years, I am confident that this is not a long term trend and the industry will bounce back stronger.”
About $13 million of the funds went to the instructional improvement/education fund while another $6 million was allotted to the trauma and emergency services fund.
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Tribes with casinos contribute 1-8% of their Class III gross gaming revenue to the state, cities, towns and counties as part of the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact.
Arizona casinos closed in March due to the spread of coronavirus.
Some casinos reopened in mid-May at limited capacity, although Wild Horse Pass, Lone Butte and Vee Quiva closed Thursday to reassess their COVID-19 plan and will remain shuttered for two weeks.
