As the largest employer and taxpayer in the state, gaming and tourism can be directly and indirectly credited with affording the Nevada citizens a higher standard of living. Nevada's resort industry pays more than $2.0 billion in taxes and fees annually, funds nearly 50 percent of the state’s general fund and is the single largest contributor to state education funding. Nevada’s hotels and casinos pay all of the taxes paid by businesses generally, and also bear industry specific taxes that help support the state’s schools, build streets and highways and provide other essential services at the state and local level.
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 35 percent higher wages and salaries than similarly situated employees nationwide.
In addition to providing a primary source of revenue 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.
