From record-breaking revenues to the machines that power them, let's dive into the numbers that reveal the massive scale and surprising details of the U.S. casino industry's banner year in 2023.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, US commercial casinos reported a record-breaking gross gaming revenue of $66.5 billion, marking a 10% increase from 2022.
- Nevada casinos alone generated $15.6 billion in gaming revenue in fiscal year 2023, accounting for 58% of the state's total gaming win.
- US Indian gaming revenue reached $41.9 billion in 2023, up 3.6% from the previous year.
- The US casino industry employed 756,000 people directly in 2023.
- Nevada's gaming industry supported 404,000 jobs in 2023, including indirect employment.
- Commercial casinos provided 371,000 direct jobs in 2023.
- US commercial casino market size was $78.6 billion in 2023 including non-gaming.
- US casino industry CAGR projected at 9.8% from 2024-2030.
- Number of US commercial casinos: 1,000 in 2023.
- Slots generated $44.2 billion or 66.5% of commercial gaming win in 2023.
- Table games revenue: $18.2 billion, 27.4% of total in 2023.
- Sports betting revenue: $10.9 billion from $119.2B handle in 2023.
- 55+ age group is 40% of casino visitors in US.
- 76% of Americans have gambled in past year, casinos 52% in 2023.
- Average casino visitor age: 49 years in 2023 surveys.
The US casino industry achieved record-breaking revenue and employment levels in 2023.
Employment and Workforce
- The US casino industry employed 756,000 people directly in 2023.
- Nevada's gaming industry supported 404,000 jobs in 2023, including indirect employment.
- Commercial casinos provided 371,000 direct jobs in 2023.
- Tribal casinos employed 340,000 individuals across 524 facilities in 2023.
- Las Vegas Strip resorts employed 211,000 workers in 2023.
- US casino industry workforce grew by 4.2% in 2023 post-pandemic recovery.
- Dealers in US casinos numbered approximately 45,000 in 2023.
- Hotel and lodging staff in casino resorts totaled 120,000 jobs in 2023.
- Food and beverage employees in US casinos reached 98,000 in 2023.
- Security personnel in Nevada casinos alone numbered 25,000 in 2023.
- Tribal casino employment in Oklahoma supported 75,000 jobs in 2023.
- New Jersey casino industry employed 38,000 people in 2023.
- Pennsylvania gaming workforce was 18,500 strong in FY2023.
- Michigan's three commercial casinos employed 7,500 directly in 2023.
- Casino industry supported 1.8 million total jobs including supply chain in 2023.
- Average wage for casino dealers in US was $28,500 annually in 2023.
- Slot attendants employment totaled 22,000 nationwide in 2023.
- Executive casino hotel managers numbered 5,200 in 2023.
- Gaming surveillance officers employed 12,000 in US casinos in 2023.
- Entertainment and events staff in casino resorts: 15,000 jobs in 2023.
- Ohio casino employment was 10,200 direct jobs in 2023.
- Female representation in casino workforce reached 48% in 2023.
- Veteran employment in US casinos: 8% of workforce in 2023.
- Training programs trained 50,000 new casino workers in 2023.
- Turnover rate in casino industry averaged 45% in 2023.
- Unionized casino workers: 25% of total employment in 2023.
Employment and Workforce Interpretation
While the house may always win, these 2023 numbers prove it's certainly a significant employer, from dealers dealing cards to security guarding vaults, even if half the workforce might be rolling the dice on a new job by year's end.
Gaming Revenue Breakdown
- Slots generated $44.2 billion or 66.5% of commercial gaming win in 2023.
- Table games revenue: $18.2 billion, 27.4% of total in 2023.
- Sports betting revenue: $10.9 billion from $119.2B handle in 2023.
- iGaming revenue: $5.6 billion across regulated markets in 2023.
- Nevada slots win: $10.7 billion on Strip, $11.9B total gaming in 2023.
- Poker revenue in US commercial casinos: $1.1 billion in 2023.
- Retail sports betting: 70% of total handle, $83B in 2023.
- Online sports betting: $36B handle generating $3.9B revenue in 2023.
- New Jersey online slots: $1.6B revenue in FY2023.
- Pennsylvania slots: $3.2B, tables $1.1B, iGaming $1.7B in FY2023.
- Tribal slots revenue: 75% of total Indian gaming win at $31.4B in 2023.
- Las Vegas locals' market slots: $6.8B revenue in CY2023.
- Blackjack tables: most popular, 40% of table revenue in 2023.
- Baccarat win: $5.2B in US casinos, led by high-limit play in 2023.
- Craps and roulette: $4.1B combined table revenue in 2023.
- Michigan retail slots: $2.9B revenue in FY2023.
- NFL betting accounted for 35% of sports handle in 2023.
- Live dealer online games: 15% growth in revenue to $850M in 2023.
- Progressive jackpot slots payouts: $2.3B in US in 2023.
- Video poker machines contributed $3.5B to slots revenue in 2023.
- Average slot hold percentage: 8.7% in commercial casinos 2023.
- Table games hold: 15.2% average in 2023.
Gaming Revenue Breakdown Interpretation
While slots remain the reliable, high-volume workhorse funding the casino's glitter, the true spectacle is the high-stakes drama at the baccarat tables, where a single whale can generate the revenue of a small army of nickel-and-dime slot players.
Market and Growth Trends
- US commercial casino market size was $78.6 billion in 2023 including non-gaming.
- US casino industry CAGR projected at 9.8% from 2024-2030.
- Number of US commercial casinos: 1,000 in 2023.
- Tribal gaming facilities: 524 operating in 2023 across 29 states.
- Legal sports betting states expanded to 38 in 2023.
- Online casino states grew to 7 in 2023 with $5.6B revenue.
- Las Vegas visitor volume hit 40.8 million in 2023.
- US casino market share by region: Nevada 25%, Northeast 20% in 2023.
- Post-COVID recovery: casino revenue 125% of 2019 levels in 2023.
- New casino openings: 5 major properties in 2023.
- iGaming market expected to grow to $15B by 2028.
- Sports betting market size $13.7B revenue in 2023.
- Nevada non-restricted gaming licenses: 218 in 2023.
- Atlantic City casinos: 9 operating with 15,000+ rooms in 2023.
- Tribal-state compacts renewed in 15 states in 2023.
- Casino M&A deals valued at $4.2B in 2023.
- Mobile betting apps: 50+ operators in 2023.
- Midwest casino market grew 12% YoY in 2023.
- Southeast US casino expansion: 10 new facilities since 2020.
- Global comparison: US holds 40% of world casino market in 2023.
- Slot machines in US casinos: 900,000+ in commercial and tribal venues 2023.
- Table games total: 35,000 nationwide in 2023.
Market and Growth Trends Interpretation
The house is not just winning; it's expanding into new states, launching apps, and confidently building a digital and physical empire that's raking in staggering sums while America bets from coast to coast.
Player Demographics and Preferences
- 55+ age group is 40% of casino visitors in US.
- 76% of Americans have gambled in past year, casinos 52% in 2023.
- Average casino visitor age: 49 years in 2023 surveys.
- Male players: 52%, females 48% in US casinos 2023.
- Millennials (25-40) represent 28% of casino patrons.
- Average annual spend per casino visitor: $1,200 in 2023.
- 65% of visitors prefer slots over table games.
- High-frequency players (monthly+): 23% of adults in 2023.
- Hispanic players: 18% of US casino market share.
- Baby boomers spend 2x more per visit than Gen Z.
- 42% of players use loyalty programs regularly in 2023.
- Mobile betting users: 70% aged 18-34 in 2023.
- Women prefer slots 75% vs. men's 55% preference.
- Average trip frequency: 4.2 visits per year per player.
- Low-income households (<$50K): 35% of gamblers.
- Gen Z engagement: 15% have visited casino in past year.
- 60% of players travel out-of-state for casino visits.
- Preferred game by revenue: slots 66%, blackjack 20%.
- Sports bettors average age 42, higher income $75K+.
- Online casino players: 80% smartphone users under 50.
- Loyalty club members: 55 million active in US 2023.
- Weekend peak visitation: 70% of weekly traffic.
- 25% of players cite entertainment as primary motivation.
- Vacation gamblers spend 50% more than locals.
- African American players: 12% of casino visitors.
- Average session length: 2.5 hours per casino visit.
- 68% of players prefer cashless wagering in 2023.
Player Demographics and Preferences Interpretation
The American casino industry reveals its true demographic backbone: it's a retirement fund in reverse, quietly bankrolled by the prudent habits of Baby Boomers hitting the slots while the kids are busy tapping sports bets into their phones.
Revenue and Financials
- In 2023, US commercial casinos reported a record-breaking gross gaming revenue of $66.5 billion, marking a 10% increase from 2022.
- Nevada casinos alone generated $15.6 billion in gaming revenue in fiscal year 2023, accounting for 58% of the state's total gaming win.
- US Indian gaming revenue reached $41.9 billion in 2023, up 3.6% from the previous year.
- Commercial casino gaming taxes paid to governments totaled $17 billion in 2023.
- Slots accounted for 66.5% of commercial casino gaming revenue in 2023, generating $44.2 billion.
- Table games contributed $18.2 billion to US commercial casino revenue in 2023, a 7.2% YoY growth.
- New Jersey casinos and online gaming generated $5.8 billion in revenue for FY2023.
- Pennsylvania's gaming industry produced $5.7 billion in revenue in FY2023, including slots and table games.
- US casino resorts invested $12.5 billion in capital expenditures in 2023.
- Sports betting handle reached $119.2 billion in 2023 across US states with legal operations.
- iGaming (online casino) revenue hit $5.6 billion in 2023 in regulated states.
- Las Vegas Strip properties generated $11.9 billion in gaming revenue in CY2023.
- Michigan casinos reported $3.2 billion in gaming revenue for FY2023.
- Total US casino direct economic impact was $152 billion in 2022, per AGA estimates.
- Ohio's casinos and racinos generated $2.4 billion in gross casino revenue in 2023.
- Indiana gaming revenue for 2023 was $3.7 billion from riverboats and racinos.
- Mississippi riverboat casinos earned $2.5 billion in gaming revenue in FY2023.
- US casinos paid out $48.7 billion in gaming taxes and assessments in 2023.
- Downtown Las Vegas gaming revenue was $878.6 million in CY2023.
- Colorado casinos generated $2.1 billion in adjusted gross gaming revenue for CY2023.
- Louisiana's land-based and riverboat casinos produced $2.7 billion in 2023.
- Maryland's six casinos generated $1.8 billion in gaming revenue in FY2023.
- West Virginia casinos earned $1.6 billion in lottery commission revenue from gaming in 2023.
- Iowa casinos reported $1.5 billion in adjusted gross revenue for FY2023.
- Missouri casinos generated $1.9 billion in gross revenue in CY2023.
- Oklahoma tribal casinos contributed over $3 billion in exclusivity fees in 2023.
- Illinois casinos and racetracks hit $2.3 billion in gaming revenue for FY2023.
- Kansas casinos generated $1.2 billion in 2023 from tribal and state facilities.
- New York racinos and casinos produced $1.1 billion in gaming taxes in 2023.
- US casino industry profit margins averaged 28.5% in 2023 for commercial operators.
Revenue and Financials Interpretation
The house's legendary winning streak isn't just a catchy myth; it's a $66.5 billion reality where even the government's cut feels like a high-roller's jackpot.
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