After a dismal 2020 filled with pandemic-related closures, it appears Indian gaming revenue has rebounded in a big way – up 40% to a record high of $39 billion. The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) reported the increase in its fiscal year 2021 gross gaming revenue numbers Aug. 10.

The previous record high was $34.6 billion in 2019. In 2020, the NIGC reported revenue of $27.8 billion – a 19.5% decrease compared to 2019.

The fiscal year 2021 revenue is calculated from the independently audited financial statements of 510 gaming operations owned by 243 federally recognized tribes. Indian gaming operations are located on Indian land in 29 states. All of the NIGC’s eight regions reported revenue increases.

The Washington, D.C.-region, which includes Florida and six other states, reported the second highest fiscal year 2021 revenue at $8.1 billion. The Sacramento region, which includes California and northern Nevada, reported the highest at $11.9 billion.

“[The] NIGC recognizes this year’s rebound has not been felt equally by all tribes,” NIGC chairman E. Sequoyah Simermeyer said in a statement. “Indian gaming’s regulatory community remains mindful that dramatic fluctuations – whether positive or negative – require time for the industry [to] return to more predictable trends.”

More information is at nigc.gov.