US casino industry reports exponential growth

A new study by the American Gaming Association has revealed that the U.S. gambling industry now generates approximately $329 billion in annual activity.

The recently released study has shown the economic impact for the period of 2017 until 2022 has increased by 26 percent, marking an overall rise before, during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Report findings

The report found that commercial and tribal casinos support 1.8 million jobs, including 700,000 jobs at the casinos themselves. These generated $104 billion, a 40 percent rise from the start of 2017.

From this sum, the industry paid $52.7 billion in taxes to federal, state and local governments, making a 29 percent increase since 2017.

This report is the first of its kind released by the association since 2018, of which the data presented was solely representative of 2017 data. 

The survey also examined money won by gamblers or spent at venues deemed non-gambling casino businesses such as restaurants and stores. 

Capital investments also received an inclusion focusing on building and opening new casinos or renovations to existing ones.

So comprehensive in fact, the survey also included so-called catalytic spending by casino patrons such as transportation to and from casino resorts and money spent at restaurants that are not part of casinos. 

The US gaming industry

The President and CEO of the American Gaming Association, Bill Miller views these numbers as a testament to both the industry’s resilience and strength especially when considering the impact of the pandemic. 

He also took the opportunity to explain that this growth is continuing. The US casino industry is having its best year ever in 2023 when measuring the value of total winnings, which is on course to beat the $60 billion accrued last year.

Further to this, Jane Bokunewicz, director of the Lloyd Levenson Institute at New Jersey’s Stockton University, has stated that money won by casinos is just part of their overall contribution to the US economy.

“Casinos are often the largest employers in a region, with major commitments in terms of wages and benefits. People employed by casinos use those wages and benefits to purchase additional goods and services, generating secondary economic impact.”

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