Record Revenues Mark Milestone Year for American Casino Gaming in 2025

The American Gaming Association released its annual State of the States 2026 report in May 2026, and the numbers tell a clear story of expansion across commercial casino gaming. Total revenue reached $78.62 billion for 2025, which represents a 9.1 percent increase over the previous year, and this figure marks the highest total ever recorded for the industry.

Segment Breakdown Shows Varied Growth Patterns

Land-based casinos generated $51.06 billion during the year, while sports betting contributed $16.89 billion after rising 22.6 percent from 2024 levels, and internet gaming added $10.73 billion following a 27.6 percent gain. Observers note that these three segments together created the overall record, with internet gaming posting the strongest percentage increase yet land-based operations still accounting for the largest share of the total. Data from the report shows that 34 of the 38 states with commercial gaming plus the District of Columbia each set new single-year revenue marks, which indicates broad geographic participation rather than concentration in just a few markets.

Tax Collections Rise Alongside Industry Expansion

State and local governments collected $17.86 billion in gaming taxes from these operations, an amount that reflects the direct fiscal impact of the revenue growth. Those who've tracked these figures over multiple years point out that the tax haul supports public programs in education, infrastructure, and problem-gambling services in many jurisdictions. The report also includes an estimate of $53.9 billion in illegal gaming activity nationwide, which underscores the scale of unregulated markets that operate outside state oversight and tax systems.

What's notable here is how the combination of traditional casino floors and newer digital platforms drove the overall result, with sports betting continuing its rapid climb since legalization expanded after 2018. Experts have observed that states which added mobile sportsbooks or online casino products in recent years often posted some of the largest year-over-year jumps, whereas mature markets relied more on steady land-based performance to achieve their records. The report aggregates data across commercial operators only, so tribal gaming and lottery figures remain separate from these totals.

State-Level Records Reflect National Trend

Across the country, 34 states plus D.C. reached new highs, which leaves just four states that did not set records yet still contributed to the national total. Researchers who examined the state-by-state tables found that both established markets like Nevada and New Jersey and newer entrants such as those in the Midwest and Southeast posted gains, although the drivers differed by region. In states with limited land-based options, sports betting and internet gaming often accounted for most of the increase, whereas traditional casino states saw balanced contributions from all three segments.

Looking at the Broader Context in Mid-2026

By May 2026 the industry had already moved past the 2025 results and into the first months of the current year, yet the State of the States 2026 report serves as the definitive benchmark for what happened last year. The American Gaming Association compiles these figures from regulatory filings and operator reports, which provides a consistent methodology year after year. Those who've studied prior editions know that each release updates the historical series and allows direct comparison of growth rates across segments and states.

Conclusion

The 2025 data captured in the State of the States 2026 report establishes a new baseline for U.S. commercial casino gaming, with $78.62 billion in revenue, $17.86 billion in taxes, and records set in most jurisdictions that permit the activity. The report also places the legal market alongside an estimated $53.9 billion illegal sector, giving policymakers and operators a fuller picture of the overall landscape. As 2026 progresses, industry participants and state regulators will use these figures to assess ongoing trends in land-based, sports betting, and internet gaming performance.