US commercial casino revenue up 3.5% in 2018

The American Gaming Association (AGA) released Tuesday its annual State of the States report: The AGA Survey of the Commercial Casino Industry.

According to data contained in the report, the 465 commercial casinos generated gaming revenue of $41.7 billion, logging its fourth consecutive year of gaming revenue growth and outpacing the national economic growth rate in 2018.

Other key findings from AGA’s survey included the fact that the commercial casino industry generated $9.7 billion in gaming taxes for state and local governments, a number that does not account for the billions more in sales, income, and other taxes, and that half of the 24 states with commercial casinos reported record annual gaming revenue with nearly every state seeing gains in 2018.

"Year after year, the commercial casino industry has reaffirmed its role as an economic powerhouse in the United States," said Bill Miller, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association. "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."

According to the AGA, the rapid expansion of legalized sports wagering following the Supreme Court decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018 played a key role in the industry’s record year. Total industrywide revenue from sports betting grew to $430.2 million in 2018, up from $261.3 million in 2017. AGA anticipates this growth to continue as additional states legalize and regulate sports wagering.

"Growth in the commercial gaming sector enables the industry to continue to reinvest in communities, enhance partnerships with small businesses and nonprofits and provide career opportunities for nearly two-million American workers," Miller added.

NEW: Last year, the commercial casino industry grew 3.5% to a historic high of $41.7 billion. Read AGA’s State of the States 2019 for a detailed look at the broad economic and community impact of the gaming industry. https://t.co/fCOaJF09lo

— American Gaming Assn (@AmerGamingAssn) 11 de junio de 2019

AGA’s annual State of the States report details the commercial gaming industry’s financial performance, including analyses of each of the 24 states with commercial gaming operations. The report, developed with Gambling Compliance, also provides a breakdown of the legality of types of gaming and number of casinos by state, summarizes major gaming policy discussions and previews opportunities and challenges for the industry.