Gaming Revenue: 10-Year Trend
Gross gaming revenue (GGR) is the amount wagered minus the winnings returned to players, a true measure of the economic value of gambling. GGR is the figure used to determine what a casino, racetrack, lottery or other gaming operation earns before taxes, salaries and other expenses are paid—the equivalent of “sales,” not “profit.” In 2012, for example, the commercial casino industry had GGR of more than $37 billion, but paid more than $13 billion in wages and benefits and $8.6 billion in taxes, plus other expenses.
The following chart details the commercial casino industry’s GGR for 2003 through 2012.
| Year | Total Commercial Casino |
|---|---|
| 2003 | $28.72 |
| 2004 | $31.17 |
| 2005 | $32.77 |
| 2006 | $35.27 |
| 2007 | $37.52 |
| 2008 | $36.22 |
| 2009 | $34.28 |
| 2010 | $34.60 |
| 2011 | $35.64 |
| 2012 | $37.34 |
