The commercial gaming industry in the United States recorded its best July on record, with revenues reaching $6.21 billion, according to the latest figures from the American Gaming Association (AGA). That figure represents a 7.9% rise compared with July 2024.
Across the first seven months of 2025, commercial gaming revenue has totalled $44.68 billion, up 8.1% year-over-year. The industry also contributed $1.37 billion in taxes in July alone, and nearly $10.4 billion since the start of the year.
Of the 38 commercial gaming jurisdictions that were active in July 2024, 34 reported revenue gains over the past year, suggesting broad-based growth across the country.
Traditional casinos steady as online surges
Much of the industry’s strength continues to come from traditional casino floors. Slot machines and table games generated $4.39 billion in July, a 4.7% increase from the previous year. Slot revenue alone climbed nearly 5% to $3.23 billion, while table games brought in $858 million, up 3.7%.
However, the real momentum lies online. Internet-based gaming, including both iGaming and online sports betting, surged by more than 20% in July, reaching $1.78 billion in revenue. iGaming grew nearly 23% year on year, while online sports betting was up 12.5%.
Seven states currently offer legal iGaming, and all posted growth in July. Rhode Island and Delaware nearly doubled their revenue compared with the same month last year.
Sports betting delivers gains despite uneven state results
Sports betting remains one of the fastest-growing verticals, with commercial sportsbook revenue climbing 12.1% to $988.7 million in July. Bettors staked $8.88 billion during the month, an increase of more than 12% from a year earlier.
Performance, however, varied widely across states. Washington D.C. saw sportsbook revenue more than double, while Arizona (+77.9%), Nebraska (+61.7%) and New Hampshire (+50.6%) also posted impressive gains. By contrast, North Carolina, Maine, Rhode Island and South Dakota all experienced steep declines.
Americans have wagered nearly $89 billion on sports in 2025 so far, 11.5% more than the previous year.
State-by-state differences highlight fragmented market
The state-by-state breakdown reveals just how varied the picture can be. Nevada, the single largest gaming state, generated $1.36 billion in July, up 4% year on year. New Jersey followed closely with $606 million, with gains across both in-person and online markets. Illinois and Pennsylvania also delivered strong performances, each topping $600 million for the month.
But some smaller markets struggled. Michigan, Maryland, Rhode Island and Delaware all reported declines in traditional casino revenue compared with July 2024. Even so, nationwide strength has largely offset localised weaknesses.
The District of Columbia led the country in growth terms, with gaming revenue up a staggering 187.9% year on year, while Nebraska (+126.3%) and Virginia (+26.3%) also posted increases.
In a recent interview with SiGMA News, Jason Heller, Senior Vice President at 5WPR, explained: “Between rising state taxes, steep licensing fees, and slowing expansion, the economics don’t add up. Operators are prioritising markets where profitability is clearer, and growth is more sustainable.”
iGaming proves the industry’s growth engine
The standout performer remains iGaming, which has delivered sustained double-digit growth since its introduction. In July, the sector brought in $823.4 million, a 22.9% rise from last year. Through the first seven months of 2025, iGaming has generated nearly $6 billion in revenue, almost 29% higher than the same period in 2024.
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Michigan remain the largest contributors.
The record-breaking summer proves once more the commercial gaming industry’s capacity for growth. Yet the sector also faces challenges. Operating costs remain high, tax regimes vary significantly between states, and saturation is beginning to appear in more mature markets.
