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Transcript 

Media Teleconference 

2012 Gross Gaming Revenues 

July 23, 2013 

Operator: Welcome and thank you for standing by at this time all participants are in a 

listen only mode until the question and answer session. At that time if you would like to 

ask a question over the phone you may do so by pressing *1. To with withdraw your 

request, you may press *2. I would like to turn the call over to Mr. Michael Odle where 

you may begin. 

Michael Odle: Great! Thank you very much and a very good morning or afternoon 

depending on where you are located at in the United States. 

Thank you for joining the National Indian Gaming Commission’s media teleconference 

regarding Indian Gaming’s 2012 Gross Gaming Revenues. 

I’m Michael Odle (O.D.L.E) – Director of Public Affairs for the NIGC. 

Thank you for being here today. 

We will begin today’s media teleconference with remarks from NIGC Chairwoman 

Tracie Stevens (T.R.A.C.I.E and Stevens, common spelling) on the economic 

encouragement of the 2012 gross gaming revenues and the third consecutive year of 

growth since the recession that began in 2008. 

Following Chairwoman Stevens, Associate Commissioner Dan Little (common spelling), 

will highlight the agency’s work with tribes over the last three years, to introduce 21st

century regulations for a 21st century industry. 

Finally, Director of Finance Yvonne Lee (That’s Y.V.O.N.N.E., Lee common spelling), 

will walk through the specifics of the data. 

May I direct you our website at www.nigc.gov and click on the media tab immediately 

following this teleconference, a news release, charts and graphics will be available for 

download. Additionally, the correct spelling of speakers name and official titles are 

provided for your convenience. 

Following the remarks, we will be available for 10 minutes to answer questions. 

I ask that you please keep your questions within the subject area – of Gross Gaming 

Revenues. 

Please note all comments are on the record. 

Toward the end of the 10 minutes, I will indicate how many more questions we have time 

for. As mentioned earlier, to queue up for a questions, press *1. 

In order to ensure that as many of you as possible have the opportunity to ask questions, 

please limit yourself to one question and one follow-up and we have time remaining at 

the end, we will go back around for additional questions.. 
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When the operator opens the Q&A portion, she will state your name and your affiliation 

for the record. Please if you would direct your question to an individual that is on the 

teleconference that will be greatly appreciated. 

If you still have questions or follow-up, you can reach the Division of Public Affairs at 

202-632-1599. That’s, 202-632-1599. I’ll provide that number again at the end of the 

teleconference. 

Ladies and Gentleman, Chairwoman Tracie Stevens. 

Chairwoman Tracie Stevens: Thank you Michael. Good afternoon or morning 

everyone. I want to begin by thanking all of you for joining us today. 

Hello. My name is Tracie Stevens, and I am a member of the Tulalip Tribes of 

Washington, and Chairwoman of the National Indian Gaming Commission. 

The 2012 Indian gaming industry’s gross gaming revenues of $27.9 billion dollars 

indicate a strong and mature Indian gaming industry. This is the third consecutive year of 

financial growth. Additionally, gross gaming revenue in 2012 reached its highest level in 

history, ahead of 2011’s gross gaming revenues by $746 million. 

For those who judge casino spending as an indicator of increased discretionary spending 

and economic recovery, 2012 revenues certainly display economic encouragement. 

When compared with figures from 2011, the gross gaming revenues rose nearly three 

percent and since 2009, the gross gaming revenues are trending positively. Indian gaming 

markets across the country are experiencing improved economic conditions. Continuing 

the trend from 2011, all seven NIGC regions experienced growth in 2012. 

The largest increase in gross gaming revenue occurred within our St. Paul Region, which 

consists of 120 gaming operations across nine Great Plains states. The Tulsa Region, 

which includes 64 gaming operations in Kansas and eastern Oklahoma, had the largest 

percentage increase. 

Continued growth in Indian gaming is attributed to the expansion of a number of Indian 

gaming operations, increased patronage due to the upturn in the economy, an increasingly 

mature Indian gaming industry and much needed regulatory reform to meet the needs of 

the changing industry. 

Gross gaming revenues go toward improving reservation communities, including tribal 

government operations, promotion of the welfare of the tribe and its citizens, economic 

development, support of charitable organizations, and compensation to local governments 

for support of services provided by those entities. 

I’d now like to turn the phone over to Associate Commissioner Dan Little for additional 

Remarks. 

Associate Commissioner Dan Little: Thank you Chairwoman Stevens. My name is Dan 

Little, and I am the Associate Commissioner here at the NIGC. This economic data is 

indeed encouraging. 
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As Chairwoman Stevens briefly mentioned, the Indian Gaming market has continued its 

positive growth in part because of regulatory reviews and the implementation of Indian 

gaming regulations. 

The Commission believes our responsibility as the federal branch of Indian gaming’s 

three-tired regulatory framework is, first and foremost, to assist tribes in complying with 

the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and NIGC regulations. 

Over the last three years, the NIGC has focused on developing 21st century regulations by 

which it carries out its federally mandated duties under the Indian Gaming Regulatory 

Act. Since 2010, We have considered 20 regulations or potential regulations with 17 of 

those being adopted and implemented. 

Our regulatory review has provided much needed reform to meet the needs of the 

changing Indian gaming industry and to provide flexibility, consistency and certainty for 

tribes and tribal regulators. 

The purpose of the Commission is to implement the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and 

to protect Indian gaming as a means to promote tribal economic development, selfsufficiency, and strong tribal governments. Indian gaming revenues provide a means to

stimulate tribal economies, create great jobs, and, strengthen tribal education and 

healthcare systems. 

Next, I will turn it over to the NIGC Director of Finance Yvonne Lee to provide 

additional data on Gross Gaming Revnues. Yvonne. 

Yvonne Lee: Thank you, Commissioner Little. 

Hello, I’m Yvonne Lee, Director of Finance for the NIGC. 

First, it is important to note, gross gaming revenue or GGR is the amount wagered minus 

the winnings returned to players. GGR is the figure used to determine what a casino or 

other gaming operation earns before salaries, compact fees, and other expenses are 

paid—the equivalent of “sales,” not “profit.” Gross gaming revenues should in no way be 

interpreted as profit margin. These are revenues earned before paying other expenses. 

The 2012 GGR is calculated based on 425 independently audited financial statements 

received by 234 tribes. 

The Indian gaming industry as a whole has showed continuous growth in the past ten 

years, except during 2008-2009 when the entire global economy receded. Since 2010, the 

Indian gaming industry has been experiencing approximately 3 percent annual growth. 

Small and moderate gaming operations make up 56 percent of Indian gaming. Of the 425 

operations, 237 operations are considered small or mid-sized operations. 

The following are 2012 growth rates over 2011 by NIGC Region. All 7 NIGC regions 

saw increases in 2012. Important to note, each region is unique in terms of number of 

facilities, population and tribes. For complete details, go to our website at www.nigc.gov

and click the MEDIA tab. 
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• Our Portland Region, which is the Pacific Northwest, saw a 4% growth rate over 

2011; 

• Sacramento Region, which includes California and Northern Nevada, saw a 0.8% 

growth rate; 

• Phoneix Region, which covers the Southwest, saw a 3.9% growth rate; 

• St. Paul Region, which encompasses 9 Great Plains states, saw a 5.1% growth 

rate; 

• Tulsa Region, which includes Kansas and eastern Oklahoma, saw a 6.6% growth 

rate; 

• Oklahoma Region, which includes Texas and western Oklahoma, saw a 5.8% 

growth rate over 2011; 

• And our Washington, DC Region, which includes 4 Gulf states and 3 eastern 

states, saw a 0.4% growth rate. 

The NIGC’s GGR release provides the most comprehensive look at the revenues of the 

Indian gaming industry each year. GGR also provides a regional view of revenues 

figures. 

I’ll now turn it back over to Michael. 

Michael Odle: Wonderful and thank you all very much. Again questions press star 1 

and in order to assure that as many of you as possible have an opportunity to ask 

questions. Please limit yourself to one question and one follow up and if time remains at 

the end of our 10 minutes we will come back around for questions again. 

Operator: Thank you. One moment please while we wait for our first question. One 

second, its star 1 for your question. Once again for any questions press star1 for your 

questions. 

Michael Odle: Alright, being though there are no questions, I have a few closing 

remarks. Michelle are you there? 

Operator: Yes Sir! We have no questions. 

Michael Odle: Alright, wonderful. For those of you on the phone, thank you very much 

for joining us this morning or afternoon for the teleconference. Let me remind you a 

news release, charts and graphics are available online at www.nigc.gov. If you would 

click on the media tab, they will be available and posted by 1:30 today Pacific Time I 

mean Eastern Daylight Time which is in approximately 14 minutes. A recording of this 

call will also be available on our website beginning 3 p.m. astern Daylight Time. If you 

have any follow up questions, you may direct those questions to the division of Public 

Affairs at 202 632-1599. On behalf of the National Indian Gaming Commission again 

thank you for joining us on today’s media teleconference and enjoy the rest of your day.