Facing Grim Revenue Outlook, U.S. Indian Gaming Forays Into Sports Betting

• Indian gaming losses this year likely to far exceed those during Great Recession
• Tribal gaming executive wonders why tribes want sports betting when there are no sports
• Uncertain future for large money-making tribal gaming conferences

Early projections indicate Indian gaming revenue will decline by almost 35 percent this year after an almost three-month lockdown of tribal casinos during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Right now, we’re on pace to make $22bn,” Jason Giles, executive director of the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA), said earlier this month during a Zoom conference with tribal gaming officials.