As the largest employer and taxpayer in the state, gaming and tourism can be directly and indirectly credited with affording the Nevada citizen a higher standard of living. Nevada's resort industry pays more than $1.3 billion in taxes and fees each year, nearly half of the total general fund tax revenue collected by the state annually. These taxes directly contribute to education, transportation infrastructure and other essential services Nevadans use every day.
The health and prosperity of tourism and gaming has allowed Nevada to become one of only a handful of states that does not collect a state personal or corporate income tax, providing both the individual and small business less tax burden and additional economic freedom. Nevada resort employees are paid 37.3 percent higher wages and salaries than similarly situated employees nationwide.
In addition to providing a primary source for Nevada's state budget, the resort industry and its employees give millions of dollars and thousands of hours to Nevada philanthropies and public-service causes. Education, health care, diversity and senior care are only a small sample of the causes supported by gaming and resort companies.
