What Are the Most Popular Casino Games for US Players?
Since the first online casino games became available in 1994, the industry has grown to be worth around $40 billion globally each year. In the US, seven states have legalized online casinos, and the popularity of these games has grown accordingly.
When examining which of these games is most popular with players, it’s clear that slots lead the way. Online titles that mimic traditional casino slots account for more than 80% of the total online casino game market. Their dominance applies in terms of both gross gaming revenue (GGR) and total bet count.
In terms of games within the slots sector, in 2023, Gates of Olympus and Sweet Bonanza from developers Pragmatic Play topped the popularity charts with players. In 2024, Retro Tapes from Push Gaming has caught up with them.
The development of mobile gaming has been an essential element in the popularity of slot games. This is the same story across the gaming industry, where mobile gaming content was worth an estimated $140 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach a value of more than $173 billion by 2026. In fact, mobile gaming accounts for around half of total gaming revenue globally.
It's easy to understand why mobile technology has become a major force in gaming. It allows players to access games from a tablet or smartphone in any location with Internet access, thereby improving usability.
In the casino gaming sector, this does not just apply to slot games. The second most popular game choice, blackjack, is also readily available in mobile form. Players can access this game at around 98% of online casino sites, most of which are available using a mobile app or web browser.
In addition to mobile accessibility, the emergence of the sweepstake casino industry has assisted the growth of popular casino games like slots and blackjack. The industry promotes access to these games without the use of real money. There is no element of wagering real money to win as there is with traditional casino games. Instead, people use virtual coins to play.
The advantage of this type of gameplay is that it allows players in all US states except Washington to play games like slots and blackjack, whereas traditional online casinos are currently only legal in seven states. So, more people can experience these games, increasing their popularity further.
As with other gaming activities, these sites concentrate on engagement. This aspect of gaming is a vital element of social activity that promotes good health and well-being in individuals.
Recently, sweepstakes sites have also begun offering the third most popular type of casino game overall: live dealer games. While these games have yet to challenge the dominance of slots, they are popular with certain players who seek an experience that closely resembles a visit to a brick-and-mortar casino.
Card games and roulette are the most played games within this live dealer range. The experience is as close as players can get to a real-world casino without traveling to the actual premises.
Roulette is also popular outside of the live dealer section. Together with baccarat, it’s the next most popular casino game after slots, blackjack, and live dealer content. Both roulette and baccarat are available at more than 96% of online casinos. They conclude the top five most popular casino games with US players.