US commercial gaming revenue reached an annual record of US$66.5 billion in 2023, up 10% year-on-year and representing the third straight year of setting new all-time records, according to information from the American Gaming Association (AGA). The December 2023 quarter also set a new all-time high in quarterly revenue of US$17.4 billion, while December became the single highest grossing month on record with revenues of US$6.2 billion.
The 2023 result included strong increases across all gaming segments but was particularly prevalent in the online sector, with sports betting revenue climbing by 44.5% year-on-year to US$10.9 billion and iGaming revenue by 22.9% to US$6.2 billion. Slot machine GGR was up 3.8% to US$35.5 billion and table game GGR up 3.5% to US$10.3 billion.
“From the traditional casino experience to online options, American adults’ demand for gaming is at an all-time high,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “Sustaining our momentum will take unified industry efforts around combating pernicious illegal operators and growing responsible gambling efforts in tandem with the growth of the legal market – both of which the AGA is committed to lead on throughout 2024.”
The AGA revealed that 12 of the nation’s top 20 commercial casino gaming markets reported revenue growth compared to the previous year, with the top market – the Las Vegas Strip – seeing the strongest year-over-year gains. New Jersey maintained its spot as the second-highest grossing market, while Chicagoland moved up to third ahead of Baltimore-Washington, D.C. and Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Commercial gaming operators paid an estimated US$14.4 billion in direct gaming revenue taxes, up 9.7% year-over-year.
“Gaming’s success translates directly to the success of the states, cities and towns in which we operate,” added Miller. “We are proud to be in 47 US jurisdictions, acting as economic drivers, creating jobs and providing the funding that makes critical public education programs, infrastructure projects, problem gambling resources and more possible.”