Land-based and online sportsbooks generated a combined $1.02 B in commercial revenue in October

In October, U.S. commercial gaming revenue grew 1.9 percent compared to the same month in 2023, the industry’s 44th consecutive month of annual growth. According to data from state regulators compiled by the American Gaming Association (AGA), industry win from traditional casino games, sports betting and iGaming reached $5.81 billion, setting a new monthly high for October.  

Through the first ten months of 2024, commercial gaming revenue stands at $59.11 billion, 7.3 percent higher than the same period last year. 

Nationwide, the legal casino gaming, sports betting and iGaming verticals generated $1.08 billion in state gaming tax revenue in October. Over the first ten months of the year, regulated gaming operators have paid $12.61 billion in gaming taxes alone.  

Of the 35 commercial gaming jurisdictions that were operational a year ago and had published complete October data, about half reported an increase in combined revenue from traditional casino games, sports betting and iGaming.   

Land-based gaming, including combined revenue from casino slots, table games and retail sports betting increased by 1.43 percent year-over-year to $4.10 billion in October.  

At the same time, online gaming continued its expansion with combined revenue from online sports betting and iGaming increasing 5.9 percent year-over-year to $1.73 billion. In October, online gaming accounted for the same exact percentage of total commercial gaming revenue compared to October 2023, 29.9%.  

Traditional casino slot machines and table games continue to comprise the bulk of revenue for the U.S. commercial gaming industry. In October, these segments collectively generated $4.03 billion in total revenue, a steady 2.1 percent expansion over last October. Slot machines generated $2.91 billion, up about one percent (0.7%), while table game revenue contracted by 6.6 percent, to $751.4 million.  

These individual slot and table game figures exclude data from Louisiana and Michigan due to different state reporting methods, but their combined totals are included in the nationwide traditional gaming total. 

Traditional gaming revenue bounced back in October climbing over two percent after falling more than one percent in September. Of the states with traditional gaming, 22 of the 27 states reporting expanded brick-and-mortar revenue compared to October 2023.   

Through the end of October, year-to-date revenue from casino slot machines and table games totaled $41.21 billion, half a percent ahead of the same period in 2023. Notably, Nebraska is still benefiting from the mid-August reopening of WarHorse Casino, while Delaware struggled against a difficult comparison to a very strong month in October 2023.  

In October, land-based and online sportsbooks generated a combined $1.02 billion in commercial revenue across 33 jurisdictions, excluding Arizona, which had not reported data at the time of publication, a 13.7 percent decrease from October 2023, when commercial sports betting was active in 31 jurisdictions. Excluding new markets, sports betting revenue declined 18.2% year-over-year. 

Since last October, three new states have launched commercial sports betting: Maine, North Carolina and Vermont, contributing to a monthly commercial sports betting handle of $12.98 billion, up 6.8% from the previous year. Excluding new markets, October handle was up about 1.2%.  

Overall October sports betting revenue was impacted by a significantly lower hold percentage (7.9%) compared to last year (9.7%).  

October sports betting revenue in the District of Columbia grew 228.1 percent year-over-year in October due to its online sports betting market expanding to include four additional non-lottery operators.  

Year-to-date, commercial sports betting revenue reached $11.06 billion through October, exceeding the same period last year by 27.2 percent. 

The iGaming sector continued its strong growth in October as revenue expanded 34.1 percent year-over-year to $758.4 million across seven active states.  

Revenue increased in all six states where iGaming was active in October 2023. Notably, Delaware iGaming revenue increased 585.5 percent in October, a result of a recent shift in the state’s iGaming partner.  

Year-to-date through October, iGaming revenue reached $6.79 billion, a 27.9 percent increase compared to the same month last year.