Digital growth raised US gambling spend to $172B in 2024
Mobile betting, iCasino, and iLottery lead the charge as U.S. gambling expenditure rises by 3.3%.
A recent report from Eilers & Krejcik Gaming reveals that total gambling expenditure in the United States reached $172 billion (£131 billion/€155 billion) in 2024, marking a 3.3% increase year-over-year. This growth is predominantly driven by advancements in digital gaming platforms, including mobile sports betting, online casinos, and digital lottery services.
Commercial and tribal casinos continue to dominate the U.S. gambling landscape, accounting for 56% of total expenditures within regulated markets. Retail lottery activities follow closely, representing 22% of overall spend. Notably, however, sectors such as mobile sports betting, online casino games, and iLottery have demonstrated remarkable double-digit percentage growth compared to 2023.
The online sports betting segment alone experienced a staggering 34% growth over the past year, fueled by fresh market entries in states like North Carolina and Vermont. Meanwhile, online casino and poker participation surged by 29%. The iLottery sector also demonstrated a solid 26% year-over-year increase, although it still constitutes a mere 1% of the total gambling spend for 2024.
It is important to note that Eilers & Krejcik’s report excludes revenue figures from social casinos, online sweepstakes casinos, and skill-based gaming platforms.
Retail Casino and Lottery GGR Surpasses Overall Spend
When examining gross gaming revenue (GGR) exclusive of sports betting, retail commercial and tribal casinos accounted for 61% of GGR, outpacing the combined 56% of total spending attributed to these venues. Despite this notable discrepancy, the market segment for commercial and tribal casinos experienced only a modest 1% growth, excluding sports betting figures from commercial establishments.
Lottery revenue represented 22% of operator winnings, slightly exceeding the 21% total spend generated from both online and retail lottery activities. While the report did not provide a breakdown of revenue totals specific to lottery play, it serves as a crucial reminder of the significant disparity between retail and online wagering. In-person betting accounted for an impressive 85% of gross gaming revenue in 2024, contrasting sharply with the 15% contribution from digital channels.
For a comprehensive analysis of these trends, read the full report here.
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