Commercial Casino Gambling Hits New Record In 2022

According to the American Gaming Association’s Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker, U.S. commercial gaming revenue reached an annual record of $60.4 billion in 2022.

This marks the first $60 billion year for the commercial gaming sector, surpassing the previous $53.0 billion set in 2021.

The year was punctuated by all-time high quarterly commercial gaming revenue of nearly $15.9 billion in Q4 2022. Sports betting and online casino gambling marked single-quarter highs, while traditional land-based gambling grew 1.7 percent year-over-year.

“Our industry significantly outpaced expectations in 2022,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “Simply put, American adults are choosing casino gaming for entertainment in record numbers, benefitting communities, and taking market share from the predatory, illegal marketplace.”

The industry continues to diversify offerings, with retail gaming accounting for 80.5 percent of total revenue and online gaming making up the remaining 19.5 percent—marking a new high.

According to the AGA, 84 million American adults, or 34 percent of the adult population, visited a casino in the past year—including new markets in Nebraska and Virginia. Table game revenue experienced a substantial boost, up 13.9 percent year-over-year, while slot machines showed 5.1 percent annual growth.

In 2022, the continued growth of the regulated sports betting market drove new records for handle ($93.2 billion) and sportsbook revenue ($7.5 billion). This growth was partly fueled by Kansas, which operationalized retail and mobile sports wagering, and the launch of mobile sports betting in Louisiana, Maryland, and New York.

According to the AGA, online casino revenue grew 35.2 percent year-over-year to $5.0 billion in the limited number of legal iGaming states.

In 2022, the Las Vegas Strip and Atlantic City retained their top commercial market positions. The Baltimore-Washington, D.C. market reclaimed its position as the nation’s third-largest gaming market, besting Chicagoland (fourth) and the Mississippi Gulf Coast (fifth), which round out the top five.

“Even as we navigate macroeconomic headwinds, I am optimistic about the year ahead,” continued Miller. “To carry our momentum into 2023, the AGA remains focused on combating the illegal market, doubling down on responsibility, and creating favorable policy and regulatory conditions that enable our industry’s sustained success.”