18
SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
Smoke Signals
COVID negatively affected
Indian gaming in 2020
The National Indian Gaming Commission reported on Tuesday, Aug. 17,
what many Native American Tribal casinos already knew – the COVID-19
pandemic negatively affected revenues in 2020.
Gaming Commission Chairman E. Sequoyah Simermeyer and Vice Chair
Jeannie Hovland reported that Indian gaming revenues in fiscal year 2020
were $27.8 billion, a decrease of 19.5 percent from the previous year.
“The gross gaming revenue decrease was expected,” Simermeyer said.
“The unknown was just how much of an impact COVID-19 had on Indian
gaming. Every year, the annual gross gaming revenue figure tells a story
about Indian gaming’s successes, contributions to Indian communities and
economic impacts. This was highlighted even more during the pandemic.
Nevertheless, Tribes were on the forefront of creating standards, develop-
ing new safety protocols and sharing community resources. I foresee this
decrease as only a temporary setback for Indian gaming.”
The gross gaming revenue figure is an aggregate of revenue from 524
independently audited financial statements from 248 federally recognized
Tribes in 29 states. The figure is based on the amount wagered minus
winnings returned to players.
The Pacific Northwest region, which includes Oregon, Idaho, Wash-
ington and Alaska, accounted for $3.1 billion in gross gaming revenue at
57 gaming sites. Spirit Mountain Casino closed for an unprecedented 74
days in 2020 between mid-March through the end of May because of the
pandemic.
Fee assistance available
Enrolled Tribal members can request assistance with test fees (i.e.
GRE, SAT, LSAT, ACT) and admissions application fees.
Contact Higher Education for more information at 1-800-422-0232,
ext. 2275.
SERVE UP ENERGY SAVINGS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
WITH THE HELP OF ENERGY EXPERTS.
With business booming again for local hotels and restaurants, it’s time to consider improving
your customers’ experience through smarter energy use. Energy Trust of Oregon offers a full
menu of energy-efficiency tools and resources — so the only thing that’s piping hot in your
kitchen is your daily special. Learn more at EnergyTrust.org/existingbuildings.
Paid ad