A new state audit shows profits from tribal casinos decreased 9.4-percent in recent years.
The report from the Legislative Audit Bureau found tribal profits from gaming dropped from around $600 million in 2007 to about $543 million in the 2009 fiscal year.
The audit shows increased operating costs were likely to blame for the lower profits. Indian gaming revenues from all sources were consistently around $1.3 billion during that time period.
In another part of the report, auditors raised concerns about over $26,000 in travel reimbursements paid out to the Division of Gaming’s full-time legal counsel over a two year period. The employee commutes from Chicago to Madison, and division officials told auditors his experience merits the cost and would be cheaper than contracting out the services to another attorney.
However, auditors note the situation warrants close monitoring to prevent abuse.