Today, American Gaming Association Senior Vice President of Government Relations Chris Cylke issued the following statement in response to Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Rep. Paul Tonko (NY-20) introducing the SAFE Bet act, which would implement a “nationwide prohibition” on sports betting:
“Today’s regulated sports wagering operators are contributing billions in state taxes across the U.S., protecting consumers from dangerous neighborhood bookies and illegal offshore websites, and working diligently with over 5,000 state and tribal regulators and other stakeholders to ensure a commitment to responsibility and positive play. Six years into legal sports betting, introducing heavy-handed federal prohibitions is a slap in the face to state legislatures and gaming regulators who have dedicated countless time and resources to developing thoughtful frameworks unique to their jurisdictions, and have continued to iterate as their marketplaces evolve.”
WASHINGTON – U.S. commercial gaming revenue for the second quarter of 2020 totaled $2.30 billion, a steep 78.8 percent year-over-year contraction, according to the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) new Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker.
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. gaming industry saw revenue decline in nearly every reported vertical compared to Q2 2019.
“COVID-19 has undoubtedly posed the most difficult economic challenge the gaming industry has ever faced,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “Yet, gaming’s record popularity prior to COVID-19, as well our resilience in the midst of such adversity, is evidence of the industry’s foundation for continued success as we emerge from the pandemic.”
Contrary to recent revenue declines, commercial casinos demonstrated strong consumer demand in 2020 when open for business. Before all 989 U.S. brick-and-mortar casinos closed their doors in March, combined commercial gaming revenue for January and February was up 10.4 percent year-over-year. Following the return of casino gaming in Q2, several states have reported a year-over-year uptick in average daily GGR per open casino despite operating with limited capacity, game availability, and amenities. This includes South Dakota (+42.5%), Ohio (+19.3%), and Indiana (+7.4%).
While April and May both experienced year-over-year GGR declines north of 90 percent, June saw nearly 300 commercial casinos reopen throughout the month and, as a result, revenue was nearly four times greater than the previous two months combined. More than 85 percent of U.S. casinos are now open, including nearly 9 in 10 commercial casinos, all of which have implemented stringent, regulator-approved health and safety plans.
“The gaming industry has been a leader in implementing rigorous, innovative protocols that have allowed the vast majority of our properties to reopen and stay open,” continued Miller. “With business returning to casino floors and sportsbooks seeing increased action, the gaming industry is steadily charting a responsible path to recovery that prioritizes health and safety, supports the communities where we operate, and offers first-class entertainment.”
Sports betting experienced a sharp decline in GGR in the second quarter due to the shutdown of sports activity, but is still up slightly (4.1%) in the first half of 2020 as a result of a record start to the year and increased legal options.
iGaming, the only gaming vertical to experience year-over-year growth in Q2 2020, marked the first full quarter generating more revenue than sports betting in the post-PASPA era. Online casino gaming is only legal in six states: Delaware, Pennsylvania, Nevada (poker only), New Jersey, and Michigan (not live).
AGA’s reporting on the financial performance of the U.S. commercial casino industry will continue on a quarterly basis as the association tracks the industry’s economic recovery. Monthly updates will be available on AmericanGaming.org.
Background
- The AGA’s State of the States 2020 report found that the U.S commercial gaming industry generated record revenue in 2019. The companion AGA State of Play map houses economic impact and regulatory data for each of the 44 gaming states.
- To date, 851 of 990 U.S. casinos properties across 40 states have partially reopened. This includes 417 commercial casinos (89.7% of total) and 434 tribal properties (82.8% of total). The AGA’s COVID-19 casino tracker lists the reopening status of every U.S. casino.
- Read an overview of the various practices that gaming companies have implemented based on a review of AGA member health and safety plans.
About the Report
AGA’s Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker provides state-by-state and cumulative insight into the U.S. commercial gaming industry’s financial performance based on state revenue reports. The first issue highlights second quarter results, ending June 30 (Q2 2020), and year-to-date comparisons.
About the AGA
The American Gaming Association (AGA) is the premier national trade group representing the $261 billion U.S. casino industry, which supports 1.8 million jobs nationwide. AGA members include commercial and tribal casino operators, gaming suppliers, and other entities affiliated with the gaming industry. It is the mission of the AGA to achieve sound policies and regulations consistent with casino gaming’s modern appeal and vast economic contributions.
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The American Gaming Association (AGA) and its members prioritize responsible gaming as an integral part of our industry’s daily operations. Responsible Gaming Education Week (RGEW)—September 13-19, 2020—provides an opportunity to showcase our dedication to responsible gaming programs. It also provides a specific opportunity to refresh employee training, promote transparency and gaming literacy to customers, and work with community partners on advancing responsible gaming initiatives.
For 2020, the AGA is focusing RGEW on Have A Game Plan.™ Bet Responsibly, a campaign to educate new consumers and seasoned bettors on responsible sports wagering. The expansion of legal sports betting to 22 states and the District of Columbia makes it even more important that bettors are provided resources to wager responsibly.
Check back as more resources are added leading up to Responsible Gaming Education Week.
If you have questions about RGEW or Have A Game Plan™, please reach out to Cait DeBaun.
Novomatic
“As an operator of international venues and a worldwide exporting technology supplier, we recognize our responsibility towards our approximately 21,000 employees as well as customers around the globe. Driven by our sustainable business strategy, we are strongly committed to ESG issues.” – Johannes Gratzl, Executive Board Member
Advancing Sustainability
Lowering Carbon Emissions
NOVOMATIC is aware that the way in which a Company handles energy, CO2 emissions, waste and water consumption has a major impact on the environment. The main priority for NOVOMATIC is to keep consumption of all resources as low as possible in both manufacturing and gaming facility operations.
NOVOMATIC aims to continuously reduce its absolute and relative energy use, as well as Scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions. The Company continues to increase use of energy from renewable sources, including generating electricity via solar panels in Australia. In Spain, Basque Gaming and Salones Macao already use 100 percent renewable energy. In the UK, the Company is expanding its vehicle fleet with hybrid cars. In addition, NOVOMATIC facilities worldwide are adopting LED lighting.
Reducing Resource Consumption & Waste
NOVOMATIC is committed to minimizing its environmental footprint through efficient handling of energy and resources, as well as by reducing the waste and emissions that it produces. The Company strives to make positive contributions to environmental protection using both production and operational measures.
Evaluation of previous years shows clearly that the majority of waste produced is non-hazardous. The goal is to continue to reduce total and relative waste volume in the future.
Strengthening Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Strengthening Employee DEI
NOVOMATIC’s principles include promoting diversity and equality for all groups, regardless of age, ethnicity, religion, gender and sexual orientation. Embracing diversity, integration and equal opportunities is a basic principle of the NOVOMATIC corporate culture. Doing so also provides a decisive competitive edge for sustainable corporate success. For years, the Code of Conduct, valid for the entire Group, has stated that any type of discrimination within the Company or towards third parties (e.g. customers, suppliers) has no place at NOVOMATIC.
NOVOMATIC acknowledges that it is responsible for creating fair working conditions when hiring and selecting personnel, during career development, as part of the compatibility of family and career, and as part of generation management. NOVOMATIC Americas has a people first, multicultural diversity and inclusion strategy in the U.S. market which has enabled the Company to attract and retain a robust and diverse workforce that represents its country, customers and community well. In job postings, NOVOMATIC uses gender-neutral language and offers applicants the option to use a third gender (m/f/d where “d” stands for diverse). Currently, 56 percent of NOVOMATIC employees are women.
The Company also continued the employee connection programs NOVOSilver Family and NOVOMoms & Dads. In Austria, NOVOMATIC continues to use the job platform WiSR to find and hire older applicants for their technical experience and expertise.
Increasing Board and Management Diversity
In 2020, 39 percent of the NOVOMATIC’s management positions were made up of women.
Investing in Communities
Addressing Critical Community Needs
NOVOMATIC’s commitment is to contribute to society by sponsoring activities, donations and volunteering. The Company is an active and responsible corporate citizen and invests in its local communities by promoting valuable partnerships and sustainable initiatives. As an international industry leader, NOVOMATIC takes social responsibility seriously. In addition to its economic and regional importance for the economy, the labor market and tax revenue, NOVOMATIC makes an important contribution to society with its social commitment. The Company focuses sponsorship efforts on problem gambling prevention and player protection, sports and competition, art and culture, and strengthening the economy.
In selecting which projects to support, NOVOMATIC looks for international and regional connections, promotion of education and talent, and long-term cooperation in place of short-term activism.
Biometric System
One NOVOMATIC innovation in the area of responsible entertainment is the NOVOMATIC Biometric Systems (NBS). This biometric system allows for unique authentication of registered customers using fingerprints and offers the advantage of fully automated access. The advantage for player protection is its unique allocation of biometric data to a registered guest. This means vulnerable groups, such as minors and customers who have been banned from this location, can be quickly identified and excluded.
Responsible Leadership
Protecting and Empowering Customers
NOVOMATIC creates suitable framework conditions to keep gaming fun. The Company prevents minors and other vulnerable groups from using its products through innovative technology. NOVOMATIC welcomes clear legal regulations and is only active in regulated gaming markets.
At NOVOMATIC, Responsible Entertainment covers measures for gaming addiction prevention in the gaming segment as well as measures in the sports betting, lottery and online gaming segments. Responsible Entertainment is a key element in the implementation of business activities at NOVOMATIC.
Responsible gaming initiatives at NOVOMATIC include implementation of Responsible Entertainment employee training, gaming venue visits and workshops in cooperation with the Gesellschaft für Spielerschutz und Prävention (Society for Player Protection and Prevention, GSP), and development of a comprehensive social program for sports betting businesses together with GSP.
Training Employees
NOVOMATIC makes sure its employees are well trained in player protection and that they pay close attention to identifying problematic behavior and act accordingly.
Investing in Research and Partnering with Advocacy Groups
NOVOMATIC understands that prevention and player protection is not just important on-site at gaming facilities. It also takes on central importance in connection with sustainable funding. NOVOMATIC uses long-term partnerships to support initiatives that deliver important scientific information and help improve treatment options. Recently, the Company sponsored the Medical University of Vienna’s research on addiction and addiction therapies.
This group provides a forum for discussing state initiatives to help drive an efficient regulatory reform process and speak with one voice to shape sound gaming policy. Given the Supreme Court ruling on sports betting, the working group will be tasked in the short term with exchanging information about the legislation and regulations that are pending in the states. The group will help coalesce the industry and act as a resource to navigate discussions. This will be a permanent working group that will continue to meet as needed to focus on state-level issues beyond sports betting.
Washington, D.C. – Nationwide commercial gaming revenue totaled $14.81 billion in Q2 2022, according to the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker. The total sets a new quarterly record for the industry, beating Q4 2021 by 3.3 percent.
With $29.16 billion generated through the first half of the year—a nearly 18 percent year-over-year increase—2022 is on pace to set a new annual record for commercial gaming revenue for the second consecutive year.
“Q2’s results mark a 16-month period of gains for commercial gaming,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “With increasingly difficult year-over-year comparisons, our strength through the first half of 2022 reflects sustained consumer demand for legal options as well as gaming’s record popularity.”
The industry’s growth rate softened throughout the second quarter, with the pace of monthly year-over-year gains slowing from 13.1 percent in April, to 10.7 percent in May, and 2.5 percent in June—demonstrating stabilizing consumer demand and the return to normal gaming operations one year ago.
Twenty-two of the 31 commercial gaming jurisdictions operating during the same period last year experienced revenue increases in Q2 2022. Nine states reported all-time quarterly highs: Arkansas, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon and Pennsylvania.
Traditional casino gaming continued to drive the industry’s success, with both brick-and-mortar slots and table games seeing quarterly revenue records. While slot machine revenue was up 0.2 percent year-over-year, revenue from table games jumped 18.2 percent, indicating the lingering impact that COVID restrictions had on table games in the first half of 2021. In the first six months of the year, traditional casino gaming generated $23.67 billion in revenue, 11.7 percent ahead of the first half of 2021.
The sports betting sector also continues to grow. Consumer demand coupled with six new state market launches over the last year put the vertical up 58.7 percent from Q2 2021. The $3.04 billion in sports betting revenue thus far in 2022 is a 63.9 percent year-over-year increase.
Meanwhile, the six operational U.S. iGaming markets generated $1.21 billion in Q2 2022, narrowly beating the vertical’s previous record set in Q1 2022. With the addition of one market, the $2.42 billion in commercial iGaming revenue generated through June is a 43.5 percent jump over the same period in 2021—the vertical’s highest-grossing year.
“While on pace to set an annual revenue record, we are cognizant of the continued impacts of inflation and labor challenges as well as marketplace concerns of potential recession,” said Miller. “Our members have proven their agility and resilience over the last two years and are well-positioned to face these potential headwinds heading into the second half.”
AGA’s Q2 2022 commercial gaming revenue report comes on heels of the National Indian Gaming Commission’s announcement that tribal operators generated an all-time of high of $39 billion in gaming revenue in 2021. Combined with commercial gaming’s $53 billion in revenue, 2021 beat the previous record held in 2019 by 13 percent.
“Tribal gaming demonstrated its responsible leadership throughout the pandemic and these record results reflect that commitment,” concluded Miller. “The full recovery and ongoing success of tribal casinos goes well beyond the casino floor to support vibrant communities across the country.”
The American Gaming Association’s (AGA) Board of Directors today named Bill Miller as the trade association’s next president and chief executive officer, effective January 14, 2019, following a comprehensive search and selection process.
During his tenure as senior vice president at the Business Roundtable (BRT), Miller helped grow the organization’s brand and advocacy footprint in Washington, leading the association’s outreach to Capitol Hill and the Administration.
“I am honored to join a team with a well-earned reputation for advancing the casino gaming industry’s legislative and communications priorities and addressing the issues that matter most to its members,” said Miller. “Much to the AGA’s credit, this is a remarkable time for gaming in America. The industry is growing, acceptance of gaming as mainstream entertainment has never been higher and the opportunities to continue to advance gaming’s agenda are abundant. I am eager to help lead the industry in this next era.”
A broad, seven-member search committee was formed in June, led by Tim Wilmott, CEO of Penn National Gaming and Chairman of the AGA Board of Directors.
“Bill’s extensive work with federal policymakers and as a seasoned leader of membership and industry advocacy organizations was critical to our decision,” said Wilmott. “He joins a successful organization at a time when our industry is enjoying great momentum, thanks in part to a major policy achievement – the ending of the federal sports betting prohibition. On behalf of the AGA Board, I am excited to welcome Bill to the team.
“The Board is extremely thankful for the leadership of Stacy Papadopoulos and Sara Slane, and the commitment of the entire AGA team during this period of transition,” continued Wilmott.
With senior level experience at leading business groups and trade associations including BRT and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Miller joins the AGA at a time when the gaming industry is growing both in size and popularity. The May 2018 Supreme Court ruling overturning the federal ban on sports betting was a landmark policy achievement for the industry. Revenue grew in twenty states with commercial casinos in 2017 and the commercial gaming industry as a whole brought in $40.3 billion in gaming revenue, while tribal casinos tallied $32.4 billion in total gaming revenue.
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About Gaming
The gaming industry has an expansive impact on the U.S. economy — providing stable jobs and generating billions of dollars in tax revenue.
State of Play
Explore more state-by-state details on gaming across the U.S.
Explore more details on gaming across the U.S. by clicking on a state in the dropdown menu below.
- Legal (47)
- Not Legal (4)
Economic Impact
$328.6 Billion
Jobs Supported
1.8 Million
Tax Impact & Tribal Revenue Share
$52.7 Billion
Legal Landscape as of Feb. 27, 2025
For a list of legal sports betting operators, click here.
The Latest
Read the latest on gaming’s vital role as an economic engine and community partner.
The Wire Act and its Implications for Sports Betting, iGaming and the Federal/State Landscape
What is the state of play for gaming on the federal level, and how does this intersect with the rapid advancement of sports betting and iGaming in the states?
Moderator
Senator Jon Ford
Indiana
Speakers
Steve Geller
General Counsel, NCLGS
Mark Hichar
Shareholder, Greenberg Trauig LLP
Mark Schauer
former Congressman (MI), Vice President, Winning Connections
Phil Sicuso
Partner and Chair of Gaming Group, Bose McKinney & Evans
Tres York
Senior Director Government Affairs, AGA
This newly formed group provides a forum for discussing state initiatives to help drive an eficient regulatory reform process and speak with one voice to shape sound gaming policy. Given the Supreme Court ruling on sports betting, the working group will be tasked in the short term with exchanging information about the legislation and regulations that are pending in the states. The group will help coalesce the industry and act as a resource to navigate discussions. This will be a permanent working group that will continue to meet as needed to focus on state-level issues beyond sports betting.