NIGC Reports Tribal Gaming Revenue Reached Record $39.9 Billion in Fiscal Year 2022

The National Indian Gaming Commission released its annual Gross Gaming Revenue report for fiscal year 2022 confirming that US tribal gaming operations generated a record $39.9 billion in GGR — surpassing both the prior record set in 2021 and pre-pandemic 2019 levels, and confirming the full recovery and continued growth of the Native American gaming sector.

The NIGC's annual GGR report covers gaming operations regulated under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 (IGRA), which established the framework for gaming on tribal lands and created the NIGC as the federal oversight authority. The 2022 report covered more than 500 tribal gaming operations across 29 states, operated by more than 240 federally recognised tribes.

The $39.9 billion 2022 figure represented a significant increase over 2021 ($38.7 billion) and a substantial recovery from 2020 ($23.0 billion), when COVID-19 closures severely disrupted tribal gaming revenues for several months. The 2022 record also exceeded 2019's pre-pandemic $34.6 billion, demonstrating that pent-up demand and operational improvements following reopening sustained demand above historical levels.

Gaming revenues generated under IGRA are required by law to be used for tribal government purposes including healthcare, education, housing, infrastructure, and economic development — and may not be distributed as personal income without specific federal approval. Many tribal nations fund significant portions of their government services from gaming revenues, making the industry central to tribal sovereignty and community wellbeing.

Class II gaming (primarily electronic bingo and certain card games) and Class III gaming (table games, slot machines, and other casino-style products) both contributed to the FY2022 record. Class III gaming, which requires a compact with the state government, generates the majority of tribal GGR nationally.