The US commercial casino industry saw gaming revenue grow to $41.7bn in 2018, according to the American Gaming Association’s annual survey of the sector.
Gaming revenue across the 465 commercial casinos in the US was up 3.5% year-on-year marking the sector’s fourth consecutive year of growth. Of the 24 states that permit commercial gaming, 22 reported year-on-year growth, with half reporting record revenue.
Just two states – Illinois and West Virginia – reported declines in revenue.
Looking at state-by-state performance, Nevada’s Las Vegas Strip remained by far the largest source of commercial casino revenue, generating $6.6bn in 2018. It was followed by New Jersey’s Atlantic City, which contributed $2.5bn in revenue for the year.
Coming in third was Chicagoland, comprising counties in Illinois and Indiana, which generated revenue of $2.0bn, ahead of the Baltimore-Washington, DC region with $1.9bn in fourth.
The roll-out of legal sports betting, following the Supreme Court’s overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018 also boosted the sector. Total revenue from legal wagering grew to $430.2m, up 64.3% year-on-year, with growth likely to continue as more states pass legislation.
This gambling activity saw $9.7bn raised for state and local governments through gaming taxes. However, the AGA noted, this does not include billions more generated through sales, income and other taxes stemming from gambling.
“Year after year, the commercial casino industry has reaffirmed its role as an economic powerhouse in the United States,” said AGA president and chief executive Bill Miller.
“More people than ever are experiencing the economic and social benefits of gaming in their communities, due in part to the expansion of legal sports betting across the country.”