American #gaming industry: a comeback from recession

Casinos in the U.S. are experiencing a slow-but-steady comeback from the recession last year, with revenues up 3% nationwide and jobs holding nearly steady. This is according to a report released today by the American Gaming Association.

Read the full report summary here.

The report noted the nation’s 492 non-Indian casinos or other legal gambling halls paid nearly $8 billion in taxes to state and local governments, a 4.5% increase over 2010, and in that in total the casinos took in $35.6 billion last year.

"While it may be slow, the recovery of the national commercial casino industry is well under way," said Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., the AGA’s president. "The state of the industry is good; the prospects for its future are solid."

Whilst Las Vegas remains the nation’s largest casino market, with more than $6 billion in revenue last year, new casino markets, such as Maryland, Kansas and New York, posted the biggest gains in their first full year of operation.

Other gambling centers, such as Atlantic City, saw some declines. Atlantic City had the biggest revenue drop at 7%. This is likely due to the fact that New Jersey is no longer the only state beside Nevada with legal commercial casinos. Competition is now coming from casinos in Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware, not to mention Indian casinos a short drive away in Connecticut.

Read the full report summary here.

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