Indian casinos' 2006 revenue hit $25.1 billion

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - U.S. Indian gambling revenue grew 11 percent to $25.1 billion in 2006, nearly doubling from 2001, the National Indian Gaming Commission said on Monday.

The revenue numbers are based on audit reports of 387 gaming operations and represent amounts wagered less prizes paid.

Commercial casinos, such as those operated by MGM Mirage (MGM.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), Boyd Gaming Corp. (BYD.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Wynn Resorts Ltd. (WYNN.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), saw 2006 gross gaming revenue grow nearly 7 percent to $32.4 billion, according to the American Gaming Association.