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Arizona Tribe Helped by Casino Revenues

ARIZONA – As reported by the Yuma Sun: "Due to some people's love of gaming, Quechan children have better educational opportunities and the Cocopah youth have a better place to play.

"Much of the money taken in by the Quechan Tribe's Paradise Casino has gone into education, senior programs, social services and infrastructure improvements on the reservation, which is home to more than half of the tribe's approximately 3,000 members, Quechan President Mike Jackson Sr. said.

"It has also allowed for services like the parenting program, where parents and parents-to-be learn how to raise children and run a household budget, he said.

"…The Quechans and Cocopahs are among 17 Arizona Indian tribes that have casinos. In Arizona's last fiscal year, tribes reported collecting more than $1.3 billion in gross gaming revenues. That is the difference between what was wagered and what the casinos paid out and does not include operating expenses.

"…The continuous revenue stream has made it possible to plan future projects even as revenue was covering the Quechans' more immediate needs.

"Projects funded through casino revenues include a program in which community elders teach youth and other interested tribal members the Quechan language, he said.

"…A revenue sharing agreement between Arizona tribes and the state netted Arizona nearly $30 million in 2004, with more than $16 million of that going to public schools. Another nearly $8.2 million was designated for trauma and emergency services, with smaller amounts for wildlife conservation, tourism promotion and problem gaming…"

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