PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Gaming (“ADG”) announced today $46,228,784 in tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the first quarter of Fiscal Year (“FY”) 2026. This amount represents an approximate 5% increase when compared to the same quarter of FY 2025.
“As we close out the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2026, we are pleased to recognize another year of steady and responsible growth within Arizona’s tribal gaming industry,” said Jackie Johnson, Director of the ADG. “This sustained success is a direct testament to the strength of our coregulation and collaboration with our tribal partners. By actively working together, we ensure we achieve our mutual interests: protecting the integrity of gaming across the state, while consistently ensuring that regulated, legal gaming provides vital support for our Arizona communities.”
The Arizona Benefits Fund receives 88 percent of tribal gaming contributions, providing significant dollars to support instructional improvement for schools, trauma and emergency care, tourism, and wildlife conservation throughout the state. If interested in viewing the State’s cumulative tribal gaming contributions by year, please visit our reports webpage: gaming.az.gov/resources/reports.
Tribal gaming contributions to the Arizona Benefits Fund for the 1st quarter of the State’s FY 2026 are as follows:
| Instructional Improvement Fund/Education: | $23,040,426 |
| Trauma and Emergency Services Fund: | $11,520,213 |
| Arizona Department of Gaming operating costs: | $4,160,591 |
| Arizona Wildlife Conservation Fund: | $3,291,489 |
| State Tourism Fund: | $3,291,489 |
| Problem Gambling Education, Treatment and Prevention: | $924,576 |
| TOTAL tribal contributions for the quarter ending September 30, 2017: | $46,228,784 |
Per the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact, the remaining 12 percent is distributed by the tribes to the cities, towns, and counties of their choosing for community services and public safety programs for local governments. Since FY 2004, cumulative contributions have totaled approximately $2.5 billion, benefitting both the state and its cities, towns, and counties.
Currently, there are 26 Class III casinos in Arizona, which ADG regulates in partnership with Arizona tribes. For more information, view our tribal gaming webpage: gaming.az.gov/tribal-gaming-page. Additionally, the Department just wrapped its annual reporting cycle for Fiscal Year 2025. If you are interested in viewing the Department’s Tribal Consultation Annual Report for FY 2025, please visit the ADG Reports webpage on the Department’s website, here: gaming.az.gov/resources/reports.
About the Arizona Department of Gaming
Established by the Arizona State Legislature in 1995, the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) is the state regulatory agency for tribal gaming, event wagering & fantasy sports contests, racing and pari-mutuel/simulcast wagering, and unarmed combat sports. ADG also provides and supports education, prevention, and treatment programs for people and families affected by problem gambling through its Division of Problem Gambling and 24-hour confidential helpline, 1-800-NEXT STEP.
NOTE TO MEDIA: The Department and its Division of Problem Gambling encourage media partners to include supportive resources when reporting on gambling, event wagering, fantasy sports, or other wagering-related activities:
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, you can get help now by calling the confidential helpline at 1-800-NEXT-STEP (1-800-639-8783), texting “NEXTSTEP” to 53342, or using the chat feature at problemgambling.az.gov. The helpline connects callers with statewide providers specializing in low and no-cost treatment for problem gambling and financial counseling. Help is available 24/7 for individuals, family members, friends, and co-workers.
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Media Contact | Dayne O’Brien 602.921.0232 | dobrien@azgaming.gov
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