GGRAsia – U.S. 2018 commercial GGR bigger than Macau, growth slower

U.S. 2018 commercial GGR bigger than Macau, growth slower

Jun 12, 2019 Newsdesk Latest News, Top of the deck, World

The non-tribal casino gaming market in the United States was bigger than the Macau gaming market last year, judged by gaming revenue, according to new data published by the U.S. casino industry.

The American Gaming Association (AGA) – a trade body that represents casino operators, equipment manufacturers and allied casino service providers – said gaming revenue in the 465 commercial casinos in the U.S. grew to nearly US$41.7 billion last year, 3.5 percent more than the year before and the most yet in any calendar year. It said annual gaming revenue expanded for the fourth year in a row.

In contrast, gross revenue from games of fortune in Macau amounted to about MOP302.85 billion (US$37.54 billion) last year, according to data published by the gaming regulator there. The Macau annual tally represented a 14-percent increase in annual gross revenue from games of fortune, said the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau.

The AGA data came from its annual survey of the commercial gaming industry; “State of the States 2019”. The report defined commercial casino locations as licensed land-based casinos, riverboat casinos, racetrack casinos and jai alai frontons.

It did not include tribal casinos, which are now present in 29 U.S. states. The report said a figure for last year’s gaming revenue from those establishments had not yet been released. Figures for 2017 from the National Indian Gaming Commission showed tribal casinos recorded a record total of US$32.40 billion in annual gaming revenue. The data we’re said to be based on a contemporary survey of properties in 24 states.

This year’s AGA report said the U.S. commercial casino industry generated US$9.7 billion in direct gaming tax revenue, a 3.1-percent increase on 2017.

An accompanying press release quoted AGA chief executive Bill Miller as saying: “Year after year, the commercial casino industry has reaffirmed its role as an economic powerhouse in the United States.

“More people than ever are experiencing the economic and social benefits of gaming in their communities, due in part to the expansion of legal sports betting across the country.”