The online gambling industry continues to go from strength to strength in the US. The most recent figures, from November 2021, show the second-highest monthly revenue in US history.
According to figures from the American Gaming Association (AGA), November’s combined revenue from brick-and-mortar casinos, sports betting, and iGaming operations came in at $4.85 billion — a 35.3% increase on corresponding figures from November 2019. The total was also up 1.3% from October.
Before 2021, monthly revenue had never gone beyond $4 billion, yet these figures represent the ninth straight month to exceed $4.4 billion.
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The AGA’s Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker, which monitors the industry’s performance on both, an individual state and national level, also revealed that 2021 was the gaming industry’s most successful year so far — before December’s figures have even been released.
November’s report brings annual revenue for 2021 to $48.34 billion, smashing the previous record of $43.65 billion, achieved in 2019 — and 21.3% up on the first 11 months of that year.
Breaking Down the Numbers State by State
Of the 26 states to have regulated online gambling, 23 saw monthly revenue grow in November. Sixteen of those have already surpassed 2019’s full-year figures and five more are on course to do so when December’s numbers are announced.
Ten states have already exceeded their previous best 12-month turnovers: Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania and South Dakota. The only states to see a decrease in revenue were Kansas (-10.6%), New Mexico (-9.1%), and Louisiana (-6.3%).
In jurisdictions that report it, casino attendance is understandably down compared to the pre-pandemic 2019, although the headcount was similar to recent months, despite the onset of the holiday season.
However, AGA reported that average revenue per customer is well up on pre-COVID levels — with the five states that record figures showing increases of between 10.1% and 37.4%, compared to November 2019.
Slot and table game takings totaled $41.08 billion for the year through November and look certain to surpass 2019’s record of $42.24 billion. The numbers are currently 6.4% up for the 11-month timespan.
Sports Betting at Record Levels
Revenue on sports hit an all-time high of $666.1 million, as interest in the football season started to ramp up. That number was 45% higher than October, which had been the previous record — and an incredible 112.8% increase on the previous November.
Sports betting handle was an impressive $6.94 billion. This is slightly down on October’s $7.55 billion. However, figures for Arizona are still to be announced.
The record revenue was given a boost by the first full month of sports betting in Louisiana — its eight land-based sportsbooks handling a total of $27.6 million and generating $5.7 in revenue.
Relatively speaking, the online casino industry is still in its infancy — with just six states reporting revenue for November. Those six states —Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia — combined for a total of $345.8 million in November revenue.
That figure is up a massive 124% on 2020, although 3.2% down on the record $357.3 million set in October.
Sports betting and online casinos combined, made up 20.9% of total revenue. The only time that has been bettered was in April and May of 2020, when almost all brick-and-mortar casinos were closed due to pandemic lockdowns.
