In 2015, the U.S. gaming industry generated $71.1 billion, growing at an annual rate of 3.1 percent.  For purposes of this annual analysis, the us gaming industry includes commercial, tribal, iGaming and limited stakes gaming (gaming machines offered in taverns, restaurants and travel plazas). 

The growth seen in 2015 marked the sixth consecutive year of growth for the full industry and the primary time the industry surpassed $70 billion in total gaming revenue. Most importantly, the expansion was largely attributed to organic growth from existing casinos, that is a positive change for the industry. 

Since 2007, the industry has grown at an annualized rate of 0.9 percent, expanding by $5 billion from the pre-recession revenues of $66.1 billion to the $71.1 billion recorded in 2015.  In this same period of time, existing casinos have endured a rise in competition from gaming expansion activities within the nation.  The entire industry has seen greater than 90 new casino openings, the emergence of a $1 billion limited stakes gaming market within Illinois, and the legalization of online gaming.

COMMERCIAL GAMING

The U.S. commercial gaming industry generated a record $38.3 billion in 2015, growing by 2.3 percent. The segment includes 580 casinos across 24 states.  While commercial gaming set a brand new gaming revenues record in 2015, crucial fact is 2015 marks the primary year because the Great Recession that almost all of existing casinos saw year-over-year increases in gaming revenues. 

Of the person casinos monitored by RubinBrown, there have been 140 that operated for an entire THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY FIVE DAYS in both 2014 and 2015.  Of those 140 casinos, 60.7 percent saw revenues increase in 2015.  The truth that existing casinos are seeing a rise in gaming activity is a welcome change to the industry which has continually faced increasing competition and market cannibalization from gaming expansion activities.

In 2007, the industrial gaming industry generated $37.4 billion from 563 casinos operating across 20 states.  In 2015, those self same 20 states had three fewer casinos in operation and generated $35.1 billion, a decline of 6.1 percent.  Since 2007, the whole commercial gaming segment has benefited from the next areas of growth:

• Top line gaming revenue growth of $900 million or 2.4 percent;

• Addition of 20 casinos across four new gaming jurisdictions—Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts and Ohio—which generated gaming revenue of $3.2 billion in 2015; and

• Expanded table game offerings in five states which previously only permitted gaming machines.

TRIBAL GAMING

In 2015 the tribal gaming industry continued its trend of growth and expansion. The industry segment represents approximately 460 casinos, operated by 240 tribes that collectively generate an estimated $29.3 billion in gaming revenues. 

The industry segment’s overall growth has remained steady inside the Great Recession and subsequent recovery, with the industry seeing a compounded annual growth rate of 1.8 percent since 2007. In this time, the industry has seen the hole of greater than 70 casinos and overall tribal gaming revenues increase by $3.2 billion. 

While the industry continues to provide year-over-year growth, the expansion has not been uniform in tribal gaming. Specifically, the National Indian Gaming Commission’s (NIGC’s) Sacramento and Phoenix regions continue to function below the pre-recession revenue levels.  In 2007, the 2 regions generated $10.7 billion from 104 casinos.  By 2015, the collection of gaming operations expanded to over 115 casinos; however, the estimated revenue of $10.3 billion remained below the height established in 2007.

Conversely, the Oklahoma gaming market has continued to peer rapid growth and expansion.  In 2007, the NIGC’s Tulsa and Oklahoma City regions generated $2.6 billion from 102 casinos.  Since then, the Oklahoma gaming market has welcomed greater than 30 new casinos, while generating a $1.6 billion increase in annual revenues.

iGAMING

The iGaming industry closed its second full year of gaming operations in 2015.  The industry segment generated $0.2 billion ($160.7 million) in 2015, growing at a rate of 19.3 percent.  Entering 2016, the iGaming segment continues to garner the eye of diverse state legislatures as one way for increased tax revenue. However, the lack to ascertain uniform regulations at the national stage has stymied the prospects for rapid growth.

While the possibility of national growth is still debated nationally, the present iGaming states of Delaware, New Jersey, and Nevada continue to refine their regulations and search for how one can improve liquidity across their respective jurisdictions. Specifically, in March 2015, Delaware and Nevada formally launched its online poker network which permits players to compete across state lines.

LIMITED STAKES GAMING

The limited stakes gaming industry segment, representing gaming machines offered at taverns, restaurants and truck stops, generated $3.3 billion in 2015.  Of the 3 industry segments that operated previous to the nice Recession, limited stakes gaming has seen the biggest increase in revenues. In 2007, the industry segment included five states (excluding Nevada’s route operators), that generated $2.6 billion. By 2015, the industry segment had expanded into its sixth state, Illinois, and seen revenues growth by 28.1 percent to $3.3 billion.   

While the industry has seen the most important rise in gaming revenues, the expansion has solely been attributed to the Illinois market expansion. In 2015, the Illinois limited stakes gaming market generated $0.9 billion ($913.6 million) in gaming revenues. Meanwhile, each the five states (Louisiana, Montana, Oregon, South Dakota and West Virginia) that had limited stakes operations in 2007, have seen overall revenue declines. The five states collectively generated $2.4 billion in 2015, down 7.5 percent from 2007.  While the prevailing states are still below pre-recession revenue levels, the states resumed a growth trend in 2015, after they collectively saw revenues increase in comparison to 2014.

LOOKING FORWARD

With 2015 completed, the industry is targeted on continuing the expansion trends into 2016.  The organic growth witnessed in 2015 is predicted to continue as consumer prices remain low; however, continued economic certainty could bring a slow-down in job creation and growth.  Beyond organic growth, the industry may be waiting for continued expansion across all four industry segments.  Specific to the economic gaming market, new casino developments along the Las Vegas Strip, in Big apple State, Massachusetts and Maryland will continue to bring overall growth to the industry. 

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