The US commercial casino industry had a historic third quarter in 2023, with gross gaming revenue reaching a record $16.17 billion, according to the American Gaming Association (AGA). The revenue, which includes earnings from brick-and-mortar casino slot machines and table games, sports betting, and iGaming, represents a 6.1% year-over-year increase and marks the 11th consecutive quarter of annual revenue growth.
AGA President and CEO Bill Miller praised the industry’s sustained momentum, attributing it to the expansion of legal sports betting, both online and in-person, as well as iGaming. While retail slots and table games saw modest increases in revenue, iGaming and sports betting showed substantial growth.
Online casinos in several states generated $1.52 billion in revenue during the third quarter, a 26% surge from the previous year, while sportsbooks kept $2.15 billion, a nearly 23% increase. Miller emphasized the need for federal and state enforcement against illegal, offshore sports betting operators, noting the growing demand for legal, regulated sportsbooks.
With a total commercial GGR of $48.69 billion through the first three quarters of 2023, the industry is on track to exceed the record $60 billion in revenue achieved in 2022. Additionally, new casinos in Virginia, Nebraska, and Illinois are expected to further contribute to the industry’s growth in the coming years.
The AGA also reported that commercial gaming interests have delivered approximately $10.68 billion in taxes for state and local governments through September 2023. However, the figure does not include certain annual fees, sports betting excise taxes to the federal government, or other types of taxes paid by the industry.
Overall, the US commercial casino industry continues to experience robust growth, driven by the expansion of legal sports betting and iGaming, and is expected to set another annual revenue record in 2023.
