Facts and figures on Indian gambling

Sunday, Aug. 8, 1999 | 9:18 a.m.

Facts about Indian gambling:

-From 1988 to 1997, gambling revenues to tribes jumped from $212 million to $6.7 billion, a more than thirtyfold increase. Non-Indian casino gambling roughly doubled over the same period.

- The number of tribal casinos or bingo halls operating on Indian reservations has grown from 70 in 1988 to 298 in 1998 in 31 states.

- Of the 554 federally recognized Indian tribes, 146 run gambling facilities.

- The 20 largest Indian casinos and bingo halls account for 50.5 percent of total tribal gambling revenues, with the next 85 accounting for 41.2 percent. Some tribes operate their casinos at a loss or have been forced to close.

- Indians from federally recognized tribes number about 1.65 million, or less than 1 percent of the population.

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From the National Gambling Impact Study Commission's final report in June.

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