The US commercial gaming sector witnessed a 10% surge in revenue this August compared to the same period last year, as revealed by the American Gaming Association.
Despite a minor dip below the $5 billion threshold, August extended the industry’s streak of year-over-year expansion to an impressive 18 months, underscoring its ability to weather economic uncertainties.
Unsurprisingly, Nevada spearheaded the gains, amassing a staggering $1.2 billion in revenue. Trailing closely behind were the East Coast gaming powerhouses of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, generating $471 million and $429 million, respectively.
Notably, Virginia, New Hampshire, and Oregon stole the spotlight, exhibiting remarkable triple-digit growth figures.
While slot machines remained the primary revenue driver, pulling in $2.92 billion, the AGA emphasized an encouraging development: earnings from classic casino games recorded their most substantial surge since April, indicating a resurgence in live entertainment attendance despite the decline in overall travel expenditures.
Local gambling establishments in the central United States – particularly, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri – are prospering. These businesses have witnessed a 4.2% rise in customer visits in comparison to 2019, before the pandemic.
Sports wagering, on the other hand, is undergoing a slight “summer downturn.” Bets remain consistent at $4.54 billion, roughly equivalent to July, which marked the least active month for sports gambling thus far this year. Despite this, it still represents a nearly 50% surge compared to August of the previous year.