The National Indian Gaming Association’s latest economic analysis says Indian gaming in the United States generated $18.5 billion in gross revenues in 2004, a 10 percent increase over $16.7 billion in 2003.

From this total comes wages, purchases of goods and services, debt retirement, taxes and other single-revenue streams that move through local, state and national economies. The association offers no estimate on profit.

California leads all other states in Indian gaming revenue, estimated at $4.5 billion to $6 billion. San Diego Country tribes generate an estimated $1.5 billion in gross revenues a year.

Indian gaming generated about 553,000 jobs nationwide, 75 percent of which are held by non-Indians, the association reports. Tribes are expanding their economies to include lodging, restaurants, convention space and entertainment facilities, which in 2004 produced an additional $2.5 billion in gross revenue.

Other highlights of the report:

• The federal government saved $1.4 billion in reduced welfare payments and unemployment benefits.
  
  
• Indian gaming generated $1.8 billion in revenue for state governments through state income, payroll, sales and other taxes and direct revenue-sharing payments.
  
  
• Tribal governments in 2004 spent almost $230 million to regulate their gaming operations. They also gave $58 million to states and $11 million to the National Indian Gaming Commission to assist with oversight of gaming operations.
  
  
• Tribes contributed more than $100 million to charitable and philanthropic causes in 2004.

— Manny Cruz