The world’s view of the US may be that it’s a haven for gamblers, mainly thanks to the portrayal of Las Vegas in Hollywood. The Nevada city is one of the top casino destinations in the world, but it doesn’t reflect the rest of the country — not every street in the USA looks like the Strip. Until recently, North America has restricted gambling in most states. Times are changing, though, and the legalization of the industry is spreading. This, coupled with advanced technology, has helped the casino industry in the USA and Canada to have one of its best years ever.
Caption: An advert for Las Vegas.
Largely due to Advances in Technology
Advances in technology are playing a massive part in the growth of the online casino industry, and this can be seen in the sprawling game libraries found online. The range of entertainment options at online casinos has surpassed the scope of land-based locations by some margin, with a multitude of offerings designed to appeal to a broad range of players. For example, when you look at a live casino you can see the latest development is live-streaming, where you interact with the croupier and game in real-time. This use of technology enhances the online experience, bringing an element of liveliness that was otherwise absent. With all the diverse genres available, such as roulette, blackjack, and more, there’s something for everyone. There is no doubt that this has been a significant boost to the success of the industry in the region.
That’s not the only technological factor playing a part, though. Smartphones have taken on a huge role over the last decade, with their graphics and connectivity being better than ever. Now, it is estimated that there are 298 million smartphone users across the USA alone, meaning that all these people have access to online casinos from their portable devices.
There is also the social aspect. Being able to play online games on your device is a great way to interact and meet new people. With more people online the virtual space allows like-minded people to share their interests in a game online.
One of the main factors that have given online casinos such penetration and staying power in the smartphone market is the fact that it doesn’t take an incredibly powerful high-end device to run them. In fact, the games aren’t all that demanding at all, so people with older and less powerful phones can access online casinos.
Caption: Mid-range smartphones have helped more people get hold of a device.
Live streaming has helped put more people in touch with casino games too. Facebook Live made the platform mainstream in 2017, and fans of the technology sought it out in other locations. At online casinos, there are live links to real tables, making players at home feel as though they are sitting in a physical casino.
US Casino Industry on Track for Record Year
According to a report from Forbes, the US casino industry is on track for one of its most successful years to date. This is being led by the iGaming sector, which has blown up across the country in recent times. Land-based casinos are also contributing to the success, as a greater number of these have begun to crop up in places where they hadn’t existed before. This has led analysts to predict that gambling in the States could boom in the years ahead, with several business opportunities in this flourishing sector. With Las Vegas being a worldwide attraction and such a massive contributor to its local and national economy, the industry is growing and showing no signs of slowing down.
Just like a steam train seems to start off slowly before gaining unstoppable momentum, the gambling industry in North America looks to be heading the same way. As well as online casinos being available to players in locations that they hadn’t been before, new physical casinos are being built across the land. 2021 may end up being one of the record years for revenues, but it most certainly won’t be the last. There is likely to be strong year-on-year growth moving forward over the next decade.
Where are the Biggest Surges?
Reports suggest that American casinos will make more than $44 billion this year after revenue already hit $13.6 billion by the second quarter of 2021. This is a jaw-dropping 22 percent rise from last year, highlighting the sheer size of this boom. Nearly every state that has casinos witnessed a rise in profits in the early half of the year.
It should come as no surprise that Nevada was the biggest contributor to the revenue, as this is among the top two gambling destinations in the world behind only Macao in China. Visitors to the city regularly surpass 40 million, with it typically taking around $34 billion per year. Even with other states in the country now allowing gambling, it’s unlikely that the number of tourists dropping into Vegas will drop off. This is thanks to its mainstream notoriety and reputation as one of the best entertainment hubs in the world, not just for gambling but for nightlife in general.
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Over the national border, Canada has also been a major contributor to the overall gambling market in North America. It is in the top ten countries in terms of revenues from the global industry, with a huge bite of the pie which is set to be worth $500 billion by the end of 2023. The US is outside of the top ten, but it is making moves to catch its northern neighbor up in the future.
One of the primary reasons for the success of the industry in Canada has been the country’s hastiness to legitimize online gambling companies and make this form of gaming available to a vast number of people. The government has also encouraged iGaming businesses to operate within the country, and cities like Toronto and Montreal have become tech hubs. Canada could act as a strong model for the USA to follow as it hopes to gain some ground in the years ahead.
The USA may be behind several other countries in terms of gambling revenues, but it could be about to catch up soon. By following in the footsteps of Canada, it has the potential to be a gambling powerhouse in the next few years.