Tribal casinos in Arizona are flourishing. This is evident from the record-setting contributions from tribal gaming to the state in the fiscal year 2022, which concluded in June.
From July 2021 to June 2022, tribes made a significant contribution of $123.6 million to the Arizona Benefits Fund. Of this amount, $15.1 million was directly allocated to counties, cities, and towns in Arizona.
The total for the year reached record heights due to the $38.4 million contributed in the fourth quarter of FY 2022 (April 1 through June 30).
Contribution record indicates the expansion of gambling throughout the US.
A total of 24 Class III casinos are operated by sixteen tribes across Arizona. However, real money usage is still prohibited in Arizona online casinos. Until this changes, casino game action is available through sweepstakes and social casinos.
The surge in donations from Arizona casinos mirrors the nationwide expansion of gambling. The greater the amount of money channeled into the Arizona Benefits Fund (ABF), the more positive impact it can create.
The Arizona Indian Gaming Association was informed by Ted Vogt, the director of the Arizona Department of Gaming, that FY2022 was an exceptionally good year for gaming in Arizona.
“I am thrilled to witness the record-breaking tribal contributions to the state, following the Amended Tribal-State Gaming Compact that Gov. Ducey signed last year. The Arizona Benefits Fund received over $21 million more in total contributions than the previous highest fiscal year, making 2022 a landmark year for Arizona’s tribal gaming.”
Contributions from tribes were received from 24 casinos in AZ.
In Arizona, there are 22 federally recognized Native American tribes, 16 of which run 24 full-service casinos. The remaining six tribes lease their slot machine rights to the tribes that operate casinos.
The following is an alphabetical list of the 16 tribes and their 24 casinos:
- Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel & Casino in the Ak-Chin Indian Community
- Cocopah Casino Resort: Cocopah Indian Tribe
- Blue Water Resort & Casino: Colorado River Indian Tribes
- We-Ko-Pa Resort & Conference Center: Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
- Spirit Mountain Casino: Fort Mojave Indian Tribe
- Paradise Casino: Fort Yuma-Quechan Tribe
- Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, Lone Butte Casino, and Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino are all part of the Gila River Indian Community.
- Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort in Navajo Nation
- Arizona’s Pascua Yaqui Tribe: Sun Casino; Sol Resort Casino
- Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort: Located in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
- Apache Gold Casino Resort and Apache Sky Casino: San Carlos Apache Tribe
- Desert Diamond Casino West Valley, Desert Diamond Tucson, and Desert Diamond Sahuarita are all part of the Tohono O’odham Nation.
- Mazatzal Casino: Tonto Apache Tribe
- Hon-Dah Resort Casino & Conference Center: White Mountain Apache Tribe
- Cliff Castle Casino Hotel: Yavapai-Apache Nation
- Indian Tribe of Yavapai-Prescott: Casino Yavapai; Casino Bucky’s
Several services in Arizona are funded by tribal casino dollars.
So, how does the state spend the money in the ABF?
Tribal casinos distribute 88% of their contributions to the ABF, with the remaining 12% being allocated to counties, cities, and towns in Arizona.
Funds in the ABF are allocated towards:
- Education
- Emergency response teams
- Conservation and restoration of wildlife
- Tourism
The Instructional Improvement Fund receives the majority of the ABF, at 56%. This fund is utilized to decrease classroom sizes, raise teacher salaries, support dropout prevention programs, and finance instructional improvement programs.
The Trauma and Emergency Services Fund receives the second largest share, 28%. This money is used to cover the expenses of trauma centers and emergency services that are not recovered, with the funds being directed to hospitals.
Wildlife conservation and tourism, which are the third and fourth programs, each get an 8% share of the ABF.
The Arizona Benefits Fund serves as an excellent illustration of the positive impact regulated and licensed gambling can have on a state.
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