Indian operations in the U.S. achieved five percent growth in gambling revenues in 2007 according to the Associated Press, which has obtained figures from the National Indian Gaming Commission ahead of their public release.
Indian casinos received a combined $26 billion in gambling revenue in 2007, compared to $24.9 billion in 2006.
The increase is actually modest compared to previous years, marking the first time in a decade that the annual growth rate has not been in the double-digits.
"The continued growth is significant considering recent economic struggles throughout the country," said Phillip Hogen, chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission, the federal regulator of tribal gambling. "Indian gaming continues to be an important factor in local economies."
As a comparison, Nevada casinos posted a 1.8 percent growth in gambling revenue in 2007 to $12.85 billion.
The National Indian Gaming Association says there are 423 Indian gambling operations in the U.S. operated by 225 tribes in 28 states.