Audit: Wisconsin tribal gambling generated $1.3 billion

MADISON (AP) -- A new state report shows gambling generated about $1.3 billion annually for Wisconsin's tribes between 2009 and 2011.

The Legislative Audit Bureau study released Thursday shows total tribal gambling profits increased 4.3 percent over those three years, from $543.4 million in 2009 to $566.7 million in 2011.

Agreements the tribes signed with the state allowing them to offer gambling require the tribes to make payments to the state. The report found the tribes paid about $51.5 million in fiscal year 2009-10; about $50.7 million in 2010-11 and $52.1 million in 2011-12.

The report also says the state saw an 8.4 percent decrease in taxes and permit fees collected on bingo operations, raffles and crane games over those three years, from $725,700 in 2009-10 to $644,800 in 2011-12.