Gambling in the USA
AGA: COVID-19 Drives Commercial Gaming Revenue Down 31% in 2020
U.S. commercial gaming revenue totaled $30.0 billion in 2020, down more than 31 percent year-over-year, according to the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker. 2020 marked the first market contraction for the U.S. gaming industry since 2014 and the lowest gaming revenue total since 2003.
The year ended with some positive momentum in the fourth quarter, with a 1.7 percent increase in revenue over Q3 2020. The nearly $9.2 billion in revenue still represented a 17 percent year-over-year decrease.
“COVID-19 devastated our business and the employees and communities across the country that rely on casino gaming’s success,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “We have persevered by leading responsible reopening efforts, supporting our employees, and extending a hand to our communities. Still, these numbers show the economic realities of COVID-19 and underscore the importance of targeted federal relief and ramped-up vaccine distribution to accelerate gaming’s recovery in 2021.”
Commercial casinos lost 27 percent of normal operating days throughout 2020 because of mandated COVID-19 closures and, to a lesser degree, disruptions caused by hurricanes along the Gulf Coast. Commercial casinos were open (with capacity restrictions) for an estimated 124,882 days in 2020 instead of 170,484 days had the industry not been shuttered.
The impact of COVID-19 on the casino industry extends beyond gaming revenue. Live entertainment, tourism, and meetings and conventions — which make up more than half of casino resort revenue in tourist destinations like the Las Vegas Strip — all came to a standstill in 2020 and are only now starting to reopen.
“Hospitality and travel have been among the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic. I am encouraged by recent bipartisan momentum on Capitol Hill to support these industries, which are crucial to our nation’s full economic recovery,” added Miller.
Since the reopening of casino properties in mid-2020, the industry has consistently demonstrated its ability to safely return to business, with 911 out of 998 U.S. casinos open today. AGA research shows about one-in-three American adults plan to visit a casino in 2021 — near the highest rate since the AGA began tracking last March. About 80 percent of future casino visitors agree the industry has done a good job at safely reopening.
Gaming’s performance in 2020 was buoyed by the growth of new gaming options, with legal sports betting garnering an all-time high of $1.5 billion in revenue, up 69 percent year-over-year, and iGaming revenue nearly tripling to almost $1.6 billion.
Background
- 30 commercial gaming markets were operational in 2020, while seven jurisdictions launched legal sports betting markets and West Virginia launched a new iGaming market.
- AGA’s Casinos & Communities: COVID-19 Response report details how gaming companies have supported their employees, communities, and frontline workers throughout the pandemic.
- The AGA’s COVID-19 casino tracker lists the reopening status of every U.S. casino.
Revo Casino and Social House in Conway, New Hampshire, has held its grand opening on Tuesday.
The Conway property is the latest addition to Revo’s growing presence in New Hampshire, joining locations in Dover, Lebanon, Manchester, and Keene.
Revo Casino and Social House’s new amenities include:
• Rebels: A bold dining experience with a full bar and great game-day energy. Revo’s signature restaurant serves up flavorful dishes like the Rebel Smash Burger, flatbread pizzas, and prime rib, making it the perfect spot to eat, drink and enjoy the action.
• Rebel Stage: Featuring live music every weekend.
• Revo Studio powered by iHeartMedia: An in-house broadcast center featuring live iHeart broadcasts. The studio also drives the Soundtrack of the Revolution, a curated music selection that sets the energy and vibe of the property.
Gaming Highlights: 75 thrilling casino machines, including Ultimate Fire Link Explosion, Huff N Even More Puff, and Devil’s Lock. Table games, including blackjack, roulette, and poker tables.
Speakers and guests at the event included Revo President Aaron Gomes, Executive Director of Mount Washington Valley Promotions Lisa DuFault, and the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce.
“It’s exciting to open Revo Casino and Social House and see the community’s enthusiasm for our gaming, entertainment and dining options. Beyond entertainment, Revo Casino and Social House will also support nonprofits across the Mount Washington Valley. We’re proud to be part of this community and contribute to its success,” said Gomes.
“This facility will make such an incredible difference for so many nonprofits in the Mount Washington Valley. The support that Revo Casino and Social House provides allows organizations like ours to better serve our communities and care for those in need. The impact is truly life changing,” said Lisa DuFault, Executive Director of Mount Washington Valley Promotions.
Spinomenal, the leading iGaming content provider, has made its US debut after launching an exciting collaboration with a leading operator in the state of New Jersey, and is anticipating many more valuable collaborations with top tier online casinos.
Following impressive growth rates, Spinomenal is making a major move into the New Jersey iGaming market, marking a key step in its global expansion. By entering this crucial U.S. region, Spinomenal will bring its innovative games to a new audience, strengthening its presence and leadership in the iGaming industry.
Spinomenal’s specially selected titles will be going live via Pariplay’s Fusion aggregation platform in the New Jersey market. Some of the outstanding titles being made available for NJ players are Demi Gods II, Majestic Wild Buffalo and Kitsune’s Scrolls.
This marks a major milestone in Spinomenal’s strategic expansion plan, as this debut establishes the company’s initial presence within the New Jersey market, with further growth anticipated across the US iGaming ecosystem. This move underscores Spinomenal’s commitment to expanding its global footprint and further solidifying its position as a leader in the online casino industry.
Lior Shvartz, CEO for Spinomenal commented: “After a decade of establishing and positioning Spinomenal as a leading provider in the iGaming industry, we have now taken a big leap and will provide our exciting content to the esteemed New Jersey audience. We are highly optimistic about entering this prominent market, following the process of obtaining approval from the DGE.”
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