Jeffry Scott / Arizona Daily Star

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Revenue for the state's tribal casinos increased slightly during the last fiscal year despite a sagging economy.

Gross gaming revenue for the fiscal year that ended June 30 reached $1.98 billion, up 1.9 percentage points from the previous year, according to figures released today by the Arizona Department of Gaming.

In fiscal year 2007, gaming revenue from Arizona's Indian casinos was $1.94 billion, up by 8.6 percent fromt he previous year.

Mandatory contributions from the tribes to the state's Arizona Benefits Fund totaled $96 million, up from $92.2 million the previous year. That money goes to fund education, trauma care, wildlife conservation, tourism, problem gambling services and the Department's regulatory expenses.

Tribes donate one to eight percent of their gaming revenue to the state, cities, towns and counties under the Arizona Tribal-State Gaming Compact, which requires busier casinos to pay a higher percentage.

In the Tucson area, the Tohono O'odham Gaming Enterprise operates the recently opened Desert Diamond Casino and Hotel at 7350 S. Nogales Highway as well as casinos in Sahuarita and along Arizona Highway 86 near Why.

The Pascua Yaqui Tribe has Casino Del Sol, at 5655 W. Valencia Road, and Casino of the Sun at 7406 S. Camino de Oeste.