Online Casinos, Sports Betting Drive Commercial Gaming Revenue to Record $78.7 Billion
Posted on: February 27, 2026, 08:03h.
Last updated on: February 27, 2026, 08:04h.
- Commercial gaming revenue in 2025 totaled $78.7 billion
- The 2025 number is yet another record for commercial gaming
- Prediction markets threaten ongoing sports betting growth
Sustained growth in online casino gambling and sports betting drove the state of the commercial gaming industry to new highs in 2025.
The American Gaming Association (AGA) reports that revenue from legal, regulated commercial gambling last year totaled $78.72 billion, a 9.2% year-over-year increase and a new annual record. 2025 marked the fifth consecutive year of record gross gaming revenue (GGR).
The revenue includes money from commercial casinos, sportsbooks, and iGaming. It does not include tribal gaming, lotteries, prediction markets, online sweepstakes casinos, or skill games.
iGaming reported the largest premium over the prior year, with online casino revenue soaring almost 28% to $10.74 billion. Oddsmakers also fared well, with revenue climbing 23% to $16.96 billion.
Legacy GGR at casinos, racinos, and riverboats rose 2% to $50.95 billion.
For another year, legal commercial gaming in the United States has delivered exceptional results for consumers, operators, and the communities we serve,” said Bill Miller, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association. “These record revenues and tax contributions demonstrate the broad appeal of regulated gaming markets and why strong state oversight remains essential as our industry evolves.”
All 38 states that have commercial gaming saw annual revenue increases in 2025.
2026 Concerns
The AGA reporting record commercial revenue comes amid numerous challenges facing the regulated market. The most pressing matter is the ongoing development of prediction markets that are regulated by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Under the Trump administration, the CFTC has provided legal footing for the derivative exchanges to offer trading on contracts that involve the outcome of sports events. The AGA and many federal and state lawmakers, along with gaming regulators and attorneys general, argue that prediction markets are facilitating illegal sports betting in violation of state laws.
Online sweepstakes casinos have also faced much scrutiny. The websites and apps use a dual-currency arrangement where players can purchase sweeps coins to play online slot machines and table games for credits that can be redeemed for cash.
Unlike prediction market sports trading, the tide has seemingly changed against online sweepstakes casinos.
Several states, including California, Connecticut, Idaho, Montana, New Jersey, New York, and Washington, have passed laws prohibiting their operations. Many others, such as Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Tennessee, Minnesota, Arizona, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, have sent cease and desist orders for the online casinos to shut down.
Top Casinos
Miller revealed Thursday that Resorts World New York City in Queens was the top-grossing casino outside of Las Vegas. MGM National Harbor in Maryland, near the nation’s capital, was second.
Atlantic City was home to three of the best-performing casinos: Borgata, Hard Rock, and Ocean.
“Americans continue to see the more than 1,000 brick-and-mortar casinos in communities across the country as compelling entertainment destinations. Last year, 134 million American adults visited a casino, whether to gamble, see a show, or have dinner,” Miller said.
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