OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A new report says that Oklahoma's 38 American Indian tribes have an annual economic impact of nearly $11 billion in the state.
The study from Oklahoma City University's Steven C. Agee Economic Research and Policy Institute found that more than 70 percent of the $10.8 billion impact comes from the tribes' gambling operations.
The analysis found that tribal government and business operations directly employ more than 50,000 people and support more than 87,000 full-time jobs in Oklahoma.
Census data shows that Indians represent nearly 13 percent of Oklahoma's population.
The Oklahoman reports that the study was funded by The Cherokee Nation, The Chickasaw Nation, The Choctaw Nation and the Commerce Department.
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Information from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com
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