First American tribal nations in Oklahoma contributed $23.4 billion to the state’s economy in 2023, according to a newly released study.
Tribal leaders announced the results of the study – commissioned by United for Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association – at the Oklahoma History Center. Compared to previous periods, the new report indicates the largest increase in economic activity between the years studied. From fiscal year (FY) 2019 to FY 2023, economic activity rose $4.9 billion, nearly double the increase recorded between FY 2017 to FY 2019.
The study found that the tribes directly employed more than 55,600 Oklahomans and supported a total of 139,860 jobs to tribal citizens and non-citizens, accounting for more than $7.8 billion in wages and benefits to Oklahoma workers in 2023.
