Gaming revenue in Nevada reached a record $13.40bn in 2021, despite the state having to contend with novel coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions during the early part of the year.
The annual total surpassed the previous yearly record of $12.8bn, set in 2007, by 4.7%, while this was also 70.3% higher than $7.87bn posted in 2020, according to figures published by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
Slot machines were by far the main source of revenue in Nevada over the past 12 months, generating $9.22bn, up 70.1% on 2020, though the previous year saw the state face much stricter Covid-19 measures, when casinos were closed for large periods.
Multi-denomination slot games accounted for $4.28bn of total slot revenue in 2021, while penny-slot machines generated $3.76bn in revenue during the year.
Meanwhile, revenue from table, counter and card games amounted to $4.19bn, an increase of 70.3% from $2.46bn in the previous year.
Blackjack, or 21, led the way in this segment with $1.13bn in total revenue generated during the year, ahead of baccarat on $939.1m, roulette with $428.0m and craps on $407.7m.
Turning to sports betting and revenue here reached $445.1m, an all-time annual high for the state and a 69.4% increase from $262.8m in 2020. Sports wagers also reached a record $8.10bn for the year, up 86.6% year-on-year.
Football remained the main source of sports wagering revenue, accounting for $153.7m in total revenue for the year. Basketball betting revenue amounted to $147.8m, and hockey $16.4m.
In terms of the state’s performance during the final month of the year, gaming revenue for December stood at $1.15bn, which represented an increase of 68.2% on the previous year.
Slot machine revenue in December amounted to $786.2m, up 71.3% year-on-year, while table, counter and card games revenue also climbed by 62.0% from $224.7m to $363.9m.
However, sports betting revenue fell 60.6% year-on-year from $40.6m to $16.0m, mainly due to the fact that December 2020 featured significantly more sports events.
Games and contests that had been due to take place earlier in 2020 were postponed until later on in the year due to Covid-19 restrictions, meaning consumers had more events to wager on come December.