Arizona Benefits Fund closes in on $2 billion in contributions from tribal gaming

Arizona will reach $2 billion through the Arizona Benefits Fund by the end the second quarter 2023.

During a Tuesday ceremony at the Arizona State Capitol, members of the Arizona Indian Gaming Association and other tribal leaders revealed details about fund contributions.

Robert Miguel, Chairman of the Ak-Chin Indian Community, and AIGA in a press release, said, 'Through Tribal Gaming, we were able to fund essential programs that are vital to improving and advancing the lives of Arizonans.' It's hard to imagine how our state would be without the contributions made by our Indian gaming communities.

Arizona Benefits Fund supports educational improvement in schools, trauma care and emergency care, tourism, and wildlife conservation. Arizona Benefits Fund receives 88 percent of tribal gaming contributions.

Arizona Tribal State Gaming Compact states that tribes operating casinos are required to contribute a certain percentage of their gross gaming revenues to the state and to cities, towns, and counties in Arizona. These contributions are sent to the Arizona Benefits Fund where they are split by the Arizona Department of Gaming.

Arizona Department of Gaming has reported $27.607,589 of contributions for the first quarter of fiscal 2023. This brings the total tribal contributions since 2004 to just under $1.98 billion, which puts the fund in a position to easily surpass the $2 billion mark by the second quarter.

Sherry cordova, the chairwoman of Cocopah Indian Tribal Council and Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs and Glendale Councilman Jamie Aldama also attended the ceremony on Tuesday.

I was honored to attend this historic event which marked an important landmark in Arizona's relationship tribal gaming. Hobbs stated that there is no doubt this partnership has made a lasting impact on the important areas for the growth and sustainability in our communities.

Since 2004, tribal gaming contributions to state programs have been: