The American Gaming Association (AGA) reports that 2021 was a record year for the US commercial gaming industry, with revenues reaching $53 billion according to the association’s commercial gaming revenue tracker.
The success of 2021 reflects our commitment to health and safety and how Americans have welcomed gaming’s expansion across the country.
Before this, 2019 held the record with $43.7 billion in revenue across the industry, with the number falling significantly in 2020 due to the pandemic.
With the world more or less back to normal, players seemed more eager than ever to get back to their favorite games, as every vertical of the industry saw a significant increase on a national level compared to 2019.
The fourth quarter of 2021 was also the highest ever in terms of revenue, with $14.3 billion raked in by the gaming operators, beating the previous record of $13.9 billion set in Q3 2019.
“These results are nothing short of remarkable,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “The success of 2021 reflects our commitment to health and safety and how Americans have welcomed gaming’s expansion across the country.
“Today’s industry is effectively meeting customers how and where they want to engage, whether at a casino or through mobile gaming.”
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Record-Breaking Verticals and New Gaming Markets
When compared to 2019, the sports betting and iGaming verticals experienced massive growth, at rates of 366% and 614%, respectively. Table games and slots play saw modest increases.
The increases follow the opening of new legal iGaming and sports betting markets throughout 2020 and 2021, which have allowed the market to grow exponentially.
I’m optimistic that we will see continued growth throughout 2022.
Slots and table game play increased by more than 60% compared to 2020 — another reflection of the pandemic when live casinos were temporarily closed.
23 out of a total of 34 commercial gaming jurisdictions set their own records as well in 2021. Each of the gaming verticals also set records on its own, proving the very real growth of the gaming industry in the US.
Of the $53 billion in revenue generated in 2021, nearly $45 billion came from traditional casino gaming where slots and table games dominated the market.
The fast-growing sports betting industry collected a total of $57.2 billion in handle and $4.3 billion in revenue — a huge increase compared to 2020. The launch of seven new legal sports betting markets helped boost the numbers.
New records are expected in the near future as even more markets are opening up in 2022, such as the New York mobile sports betting market, which launched in January.
iGaming has also been on the rise, with the vertical generating $3.7 billion in revenue in 2021 with the help of the newly opened Michigan and Connecticut markets.
“Despite our record-setting year, gaming’s total recovery is still reliant on the full return of travel and large events, which requires a safe health environment and open economy,” Miller continued. “*I’m optimistic that we will see continued growth throughout 2022*.”
According to most indications, 2022 will be another record-setting year, with travel restrictions and bans being lifted and more players than ever having access to legal sports betting and iGaming options.
