In-person gamblers lifting U.S. casino market to its best year
$6,000 Welcome Bonus
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Gamblers anxious to hit the slot machines and desk video games in individual after a year of coronavirus restrictions are lifting the U.S. casino trade to its best year ever.
But the nice unknown is whether or not a brand new, extra contagious variant of COVID-19 will gradual an trade that’s now profitable money at a file tempo.
Data launched Tuesday by the American Gaming Association, the casino trade’s nationwide commerce group, present that America’s casinos had their best second quarter in historical past, taking in $13.6 billion.
The report additionally exhibits the trade has almost equaled all of the income U.S. casinos took in throughout 2020, amid widespread casino shutdowns and restrictions that lingered even after they reopened.
It is evident that 2021 may very well be the best year in historical past for U.S. casinos. The playing halls are on monitor to surpass 2019 ($43.6 billion) because the highest-grossing year ever. Nearly $25 billion has been received in the course of the first six months of this year.
“These first half outcomes are really outstanding,” said Bill Miller, the association’s president and CEO. “COVID-19 is not yet in the rearview mirror, but I’m confident the record first half of 2021 has laid a strong foundation for the industry’s full recovery.”
But unmentioned in the report is the effect of the more contagious delta variant of the virus, which became a worsening problem at the end of the second quarter, and now accounts for most new cases in the U.S.
Many gamblers say they are happy to be able to visit casinos in person this year after enduring pandemic shutdowns.
“I am not concerned; I am vaccinated,” said Jeanne Bachard of Bridgeport, Connecticut. “I live by the rule I will take care of myself and not worry about how anyone else lives their lives. I do what I feel is right for me.”
Mike Wolk Sr. of Sewell, New Jersey, is fully vaccinated and plays eight hours in a casino poker room once a week. He has diabetes and prostate cancer.
“I don’t wear a mask but I am getting a little concerned,” he said.
Gene Brandon of Ridgefield, Connecticut, said he used to go to the casino twice a month before the pandemic. He has started to go again now that he’s vaccinated.
“When going now, I still mask up to reduce the chance of inadvertently contracting and transmitting to those that are not vaccinated, especially those under 12,” Brandon said.
The association said casinos remain open without capacity restrictions in all 25 states that currently have commercial casinos (those not run by Indian tribes).
Twenty-two of those states saw increases in gambling revenue in the second quarter compared with the second quarter of 2019, excluding last year’s comparison that’s skewed by months of closures. And 19 of the 25 states surpassed their totals for the first half of 2019.
Sports betting and internet gambling helped keep the casino industry alive last year when physical casinos were shut down. But it is in-person gambling that is fueling the industry’s recovery this year.
The AGA said that is due to the easing of COVID-related restrictions, as well as pent-up consumer demand.
Second-quarter sports betting revenue declined 8% from the previous quarter to $889 million, due to a quieter sports calendar.
Internet gambling revenue also had a strong second quarter, achieving a new quarterly revenue record of $901 million, up 15% from the first quarter of 2021.
