USA Casino Revenue Up 3% To $35.6 Billion In 2011
May 10, 2012 12:47 pmThe American Gaming Association (AGA) has just released its annual report for 2011, revealing a 3% increase in revenue to $35.6 billion for the country’s 492 non-Indian casinos.
In total, 339,000 people were employed within the industry down less than 0.5% from the previous year, while staff wages, benefits and tips amounted to $12.9 billion, which was 3% lower than in 2010. Moreover, $8 billion in taxes was collected by local governments and the state representing a 4.5% increase over 2010. Commenting on the encouraging figures, the AGA’s president Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., said:
“While it may be slow, the recovery of the national commercial casino industry is well under way. The state of the industry is good; the prospects for its future are solid.”
The nation’s top U.S. casino market remained Las Vegas up 5.01% to $6.07 billion in gaming revenues, while the state of Nevada as a whole collected $10.7 billion, up 2.8% from 2010. Other top markets included New Jersey ($3.32 billion); Chicago-area ($1.93 billion); Detroit ($1.42 billion); Connecticut ($1.35 billion); St. Louis area in Missouri and Illinois ($1.11 billion); and Philadelphia ($1.09 billion).
Only five states recorded declines in their gaming revenue with New Jersey topping the list down 7%, South Dakota down 5%, Maine down 3.6%, Delaware down 3.3% and Indiana down 2.5%.
Leading the risers was Maryland up a staggering 464.2%, after its two casinos reported a full year’s operation in 2011 with revenue at $155.7 million from $27.6 million in 2010. Pennsylvania’s casino revenue also soared 21.3% to top $3 billion in 2011, which only added to Atlantic City’s woes as it eventually fell behind its neighbour as the country’s second busiest gambling resort.
AGA’s survey revealed 53% of respondents preferred to play slot machines and video poker, 23% blackjack, 7% poker and 3% craps and roulette. However, the American Gaming Association’s report also highlighted the fact that although 59.7 million people visited casinos last year, over a quarter of them didn’t gamble, preferring instead to visit the casino’s restaurant, shows, bars, clubs and other recreational facilities.