MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - A state audit shows that gambling generated $1.3 billion a year for Wisconsin’s Indian tribes in the last three years.

The Legislative Audit Bureau said Thursday that total tribal gaming profits rose from $543 million in 2009, to around $567 million in 2011.

The report shows that gambling has remained an alluring activity for Wisconsinites – even when the Great Recession was at its worst 3 years ago.

Former Governor Jim Doyle negotiated gambling deals that offered more lucrative games for the tribes like craps and roulette – and in exchange, the tribes have been paying just over $50 million a year to the state’s coffers.

Auditors said the tribal payments totaled $51.5 million in the 2010 fiscal year – just under $51 million the following year – and just over $52 million in the last fiscal year which ended in June.

And while casinos thrive, things like charity bingo have suffered.

The audit report said there was an 8.4 percent drop in taxes and permit fees for bingo and raffles between July of 2009 and June of this year. The new total is around $645,000.