Tribal gaming has seen an investment of more than $2.3 billion of shared revenue in Arizona since 2003, with 88% of the shared revenue being sent to the Department of Gaming to be invested in the Educational Improvement Fund (56%), Trauma & Emergency Services Fund (28%), Wildlife Conservation Fund (8%), and the Arizona Tourism Fund (8%). The remaining 12% goes directly to cities, towns, and counties for government services benefiting the public.
The first quarter of the Fiscal Year 2026 saw an estimated 5% rise in tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits fund, compared to the same quarter in 2025. Contributions made in FY 2026 total $46,228,784, as noted by the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG)
ADG director, Jackie Johnson, has commented on how pleased the ADG is to see another year of growth in Arizona’s tribal gaming sector. He notes that the ongoing success exemplifies the strength of the coregulation and collaboration between tribal and state governments. He further stated that the primary goal of the ADG is to continue providing crucial support for Arizona communities by working together with tribal gaming partners to ensure the industry is protected statewide.
Gaming in Arizona
Arizona offers many recreational gaming options to residents and visitors. With more than 27% of Arizona being made up of tribal land, casino gambling is a popular choice. Currently, there are 26 Class 3 casinos in Arizona, regulated by the ADG in partnership with Arizona Tribes. Many of the classic casino games found in brick-and-mortar casinos can now be found on online gaming platforms. These platforms are offering players attractive online casino bonuses, increasing the popularity of online casino games.
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History of Tribal Gaming
Dating back to the 1970s, tribal gaming was established when Indian tribes started bingo operations to fund tribal government operations. This was around the same time many state governments were looking into the potential of using state-sponsored gaming to increase state revenues. By the mid-1980s, charitable gaming was given the green light by several states, while a few sponsored state-operated lotteries.
Tribal gaming soon became a contentious issue between tribal and state governments, as both sides debated the authority of tribal governments to run gaming projects independently of state regulation. This debate would go on to be the basis for developing regulatory acts allowing tribal governments to govern and regulate gaming on tribal land.
Regulation came in 1987 with the passing of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, in which the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed tribal government’s authority to establish and regulate gaming operations independent of state regulation.
Today, tribal gaming revenues stand at record highs, totaling $43.9 billion in fiscal year 2024 after 4 years of record-breaking performance, with growth expected to continue rising.
Self-reliance and economic development are the critical areas where the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act has the most significant impact. The act requires that funds from gaming must be used for economic development in Arizona reservations and promote the self-sufficiency of the 22 federally recognized tribal governments in Arizona.
Arizona Benefits Fund Distribution
Funds from tribal gaming’s shared revenue are distributed across four economic development areas: Educational Improvement Fund, Trauma & Emergency Services Fund, Wildlife Conservation Fund, and the Arizona Tourism Fund. Further funds are distributed directly to the cities, towns, and counties in Arizona.
Education
The Instructional Improvement Fund received a total of $23,040,426 in the first quarter of the fiscal year 2026. In the last 23 years, this fund received approximately $1 billion in shared revenue. Important initiatives this fund supports include teacher compensation, reducing class size, dropout prevention, and improving instruction.
Trauma & Emergency Services
Receiving $11,520,213 in the first quarter of FY 2026, the Trauma and Emergency Services Fund supports improved patient care and survival rates, covers unfunded trauma and emergency services, supports the education of healthcare workers, and provides community programs for injury prevention. Since 2003, this fund has received approximately $509 million in shared revenue.
Wildlife Conservation
The Wildlife Conservation Fund received $3,291,489 in the first quarter of FY 2026, bringing the total shared revenue received since 2003 to approximately $145 million. This fund supports the restoration of native landscapes, the promotion of nature-based tourism, the conservation of wildlife, and the support of shooting ranges and sports.
Tourism
The Tourism Fund received $3,291,489, the same as the Wildlife Conservation Fund, in the first quarter of FY 2026. This brings the total shared revenue received since 2003 to approximately $145 million. This fund supports marketing efforts to promote the Arizona tourism industry locally and abroad. Costs covered include domestic and international advertising in print, broadcast, and social media.
Cities, Towns, Counties
The Arizona Benefits Fund allocates the remaining 12% of shared revenue to be sent directly to the cities, towns, and counties in Arizona to fund economic development. Funds contributed are used to support social, cultural, and infrastructure needs. Essential services such as the fire and police departments also receive a part of this funding for day-to-day operations.
Conclusion
With the introduction of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1987, tribal gaming has embedded social responsibilities in its financial plan. Since 2003, gaming tribes have invested more than $2.3 billion of shared revenue in city, town, and county governments for programs and services that benefit the public. The existence of the Arizona Benefits Fund contributes to public safety and the promotion of commerce and economic development. Growing investment in the Fund from the tribal gaming industry will continue to have massive positive impacts on economic growth.
More investment leads to greater growth of the tribal gaming industry, as communities continue to promote and support it and tribal governments lobby to maintain regulatory oversight.
