Arizona casino numbers down
1 August 2008
ARIZONA -- As reported by the West Valley News: "Arizonans evidently aren't turning to gambling in search of prosperity in tough economic times.
"New figures show that the amount of profits Indian tribes are sharing with the state was just $26 million in the second quarter of this year, down more than $2 million from the same period a year earlier. That 7.5 percent drop is a direct reflection of how much money people are putting in slot machines and laying down at gambling tables at reservation casinos.
"The new figures suggest a trend is developing.
"Figures for the first quarter of the year showed a small decrease, less than 1 percent. But that was the first such drop since the state began keeping those records in 2003.
"Where the losses are among the 22 tribal casinos is confidential: The gambling compacts approved by voters in 2002 make that information available only to the state Department of Gaming.
"...The decline in gambling is significant because it also comes as there are more opportunities for Arizonans to gamble..."