It has been an exciting year for punters in the US as throughout 2020 and 2021 more news had emerged of changing legislation that would allow more players to experience options both online and offline – this has been shown in the numbers too, with an annual record being set in 2019 of $43.65 billion, the first nine months of 2021 are already closing in at $38.67 billion in revenue and very likely to surpass the previous record showing just how influential many of these changes have been, and how quickly gambling options are growing throughout the US.
This same growth has been seen offline too as the Vegas Strip has managed to hit all time record highs too, with month-on-month growth and huge numbers of visitors post health crisis, it has shown a very steady return for brick-and-mortar gaming once again after the initial closures and uncertainty in the market initially. “Two straight quarters of record gaming revenue is an incredible accomplishment in any context, let alone after the most challenging year in industry history. Our recovery is not a flash in the pan, but rather a sustained result of our leadership in responsible reopening, world-class entertainment offerings, and widespread favourability” said Bill Miller, CEO for the American Gaming Association. Given the year hasn’t yet ended too, there’s some great opportunities that are yet to emerge, particularly with more news around the online space.
The big focus heading into 2022 will certainly be aimed at the online sportsbooks and iGaming industry, legislation is changing at record pace as states previously reluctant to allow these online options are changing and becoming more open to the option to do so, and as language is cleared up to avoid miscommunication issues with tribal casino rights it does look like smooth sailing ahead too – the latest to announce change had been New York, which looks to introduce mobile sports betting options in 2022 with a particular focus sticking to mobile rather than in person options at brick-and-mortar locations, but certainly not the last to see change either.
Bill Miller would go on to say “With brick-and-mortar gaming setting records, the expansion into new verticals and domestic and international tourism recovering, the industry is in a strong position for a full recovery. I’m confident that the return of meetings, conventions, and international travel will further accelerate gaming’s recovery in 2022” showing that there is a lot of confidence moving forward, with the investment into these newer markets certainly to follow.