Just one year after hitting its nadir, gross gaming revenues at U.S. casinos hit their second-highest level in history, according to the American Gaming Association’s Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker. In April, U.S. revenue hit $4.4 billion, just 1 percent lower than the highest total on record, $4.8 billion, set one month earlier. The total was lower in April than in March because of a near 20 percent decline in sports betting revenue in April versus March. The figure was also 26 percent higher than April 2019, the last “normal” April.
The boost in revenue is attributable to most casinos returning to normal operations. According to the AGA, eight of the 25 commercial casino states allowing full capacity with no restrictions. Of the nation’s 463 commercial casinos approximately 80 percent are operating under some restrictions, anywhere between 25 percent and 75 percent of capacity.
Sports betting revenue dipped because of the end of March Madness in early April. However, iGaming revenue increased, and when added together with sports betting, the interactive wagering accounted for 13.1 percent of total revenue, down from the 14.8 percent in March but much higher than April 2019.
