The American Gaming Association (AGA) reports that revenue from the commercial gaming industry in the United States reached $6.73 billion in May this year. This figure includes revenue from retail and online gambling. It is the most lucrative May performance in the history of the U.S. gambling industry.
The year-to-date revenue through May reached nearly $32 billion. This was a 7.1% increase from the previous year. The majority of commercial gaming markets in the U.S. experienced year-on-year revenue gains.
The commercial gaming industry generated almost $72 billion in revenue in 2024, which was the first consecutive year it hit record figures. Revenue trends in the first and second quarters of this year are already higher than expected.
Online gambling keeps growing
Online segments keep showing the strongest growth. Online gambling revenue reached $2.19 billion in May. This was an increase of 27.5% from May the previous year.
Some U.S. states have been able to successfully integrate land-based and digital offerings. These states all reported annual growth. New Jersey online casinos continue to set the benchmark for sustainable and responsible online gambling. West Virginia, Delaware, and Rhode Island all more than doubled their online gambling revenue. The importance of digital channels in the future of the sector cannot be underestimated.
Sports betting increases
Sports betting revenue is one of the main causes of industry growth. Online sports betting revenue saw an increase of 21.4% year-over-year. Retail sports betting had great momentum in May. It brought in more than double the revenue than in May the previous year. The total amount Americans wagered was over $12 billion, a 15.5% increase from May 2024.
Retail gambling – the industry backbone
Land-based slot machines and table games generated $4.45 billion. Slots reached over $3 billion, and table games reached $894 million.
Most of the states that operate land-based casinos with slot machines and table games showed gains. States with newly emerging markets were responsible for much of the national increase. Nebraska had a gain of nearly 150%, followed by Virginia with a 36.1% rise. Illinois experienced a 22.7% uptick, and New Jersey saw growth of 10.9%.
With the increase in online gambling, there were concerns that retail gambling would suffer, and this would affect the job market. However, the current figures show that retail gambling is resilient. Land-based casinos offer a foundation that helps to support the wider gambling ecosystem.
Three states with revenue declines
The American economy in 2025 is experiencing some uncertainties due to Trump’s tariffs. While the full impact is expected to be felt in the fourth quarter, early signs already point to potential effects across various industries. Three of the states with land-based casino slot machines or table games saw declines in revenue in May compared with the prior year.
Nevada saw the largest decline at 3.4%. Even the Las Vegas Strip is struggling to keep up when online platforms offer such accessibility and immediacy. Las Vegas casino resorts must reconsider their promotional strategies moving forward. Some of them are already leaning into this with innovations that they hope will keep people coming to Vegas for a more comprehensive experience than just gambling. Visitors to Vegas can enjoy luxury accommodation, spas, top-class restaurants, and live entertainment.
The face of gambling is changing
The figures in May 2025 show the extent of the transformation taking place in gambling in the U.S. Legal gambling is available to more people than ever before. It’s no longer necessary to go to a casino resort to gamble. However, retail casinos are stepping up their game with new games and technology on casino floors. This helps to keep the experience of visiting land-based casinos relevant for gamblers.
Online gambling is changing how users interact with casino games. It is reshaping markets and regulatory frameworks. Online players are becoming increasingly discerning. They expect online casino operators to use the latest technology to deliver great player experiences. Online slot machines continue to evolve and offer increasingly exciting gameplay mechanics and bonuses. This year is likely to be another record year for gambling in the U.S.
