Published: August 20, 2008 10:43 am      

Tribal gambling grows in 2007

TULSA — With almost $2.5 billion, Oklahoma ranked third in tribal gambling revenue last year, behind California and Connecticut, according to a national study.

The Casino City's Indian Gaming Industry Report, released Tuesday, ranks Oklahoma among the highest in terms of revenue generated and the rate of growth in casino revenue of the 28 tribal gambling states.

It also reports that Oklahoma and California are key states in the nationwide tribal gambling picture.

Oklahoma also was one of only eight states to see double-digit growth in tribal gambling revenue in 2007, the report stated.

When that growth is combined with the state's 2007 gambling revenue, it puts Oklahoma first in driving tribal gambling growth from 2006 to 2007, more than triple the rate of the next closest state, California, the report states.

Oklahoma is "the fastest growing large Indian gaming revenue state," said Alan Meister, an economist who conducted the report.

"Usually, California has been the main driving force for growth. But with very low growth this year, it's not contributing what it has in the past.

"It's not so much Indian gambling is better in Oklahoma as California is not doing what it has in the past," he said.

Nationwide, there was a 5 percent increase in tribal gambling revenue in 2007.

In 2007, Oklahoma had 31 tribes operating 101 gambling facilities, an increase of five facilities since 2006, while the number of gambling machines in the state increased by 11.7 percent, according to the report.