US commercial gaming posted robust growth in October 2025, with revenue reaching $6.81 billion, a 17.0% increase compared with the same month last year. All major categories, including slots, table games, and online gaming, contributed to the surge, signaling a strong rebound after a weaker September. Over the first ten months of 2025, total revenue hit $64.30 billion, representing an 8.7% increase from 2024. Traditional casinos expanded 5.0% in October, marking the highest monthly performance on record for brick-and-mortar gaming.
State-Level Revenue Gains
Almost every state recorded higher traditional gaming revenue in October. Markets in Illinois, Virginia, and Nebraska showed consistent growth, while New Jersey and Louisiana achieved double-digit gains. Slot machine revenue totaled $3.10 billion, up 3.7% from last year, and table games revenue reached $822.5 million, a 9.5% increase.
Sports betting remained strong despite the availability of event contract platforms. October saw the fastest year-over-year growth in betting handle in 14 months, demonstrating that regulated sportsbooks continue to expand.
iGaming growth remained impressive, with $968.7 million generated in October (+27.3% year-over-year). Year-to-date revenue for iGaming reached $8.78 billion, up 29.4%. In states like Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, online gaming has surpassed traditional casino revenue during both September and October.
Economic Contributions and Lost Revenue
Gaming taxes contributed $1.54 billion to state budgets in October and $14.81 billion for the year so far. However, operators using event contract platforms and sweepstakes-style offerings avoided paying these taxes, resulting in nearly $200 million in lost revenue, which could have funded pensions, seniors’ programs, and responsible gaming initiatives.
New Jersey has become a focal point for the online market. October 2025 saw total gaming revenue climb to $611.1 million, a 22% increase from the previous year. iGaming alone accounted for $2.39 billion year-to-date, exceeding land-based casinos. March 2025 saw $243.9 million in iGaming revenue, up 23.7%, producing $36.5 million in taxes.
Operator Focus and Market Trends
Top operators continue to prioritize customer retention and profitability. FanDuel and DraftKings control roughly 80% of the US sports betting market, with FanDuel’s revenue reaching more than $7 billion in 2025 (+29%). DraftKings projected $6.3–$6.6 billion, targeting its first full-year profitability and serving over six million monthly users.
In online gaming, BetMGM held 22% of the market, projecting $2.4–$2.5 billion in revenue, while Caesars Digital expected $1.3–$1.5 billion with $500 million in EBITDA. Fanatics expanded to a 6% market share, projecting $2 billion, and BetRivers anticipated $1.0–$1.1 billion.
Operators are addressing challenges from higher state taxes, payment restrictions, and fraud risk. AI and digital wallets are increasingly deployed to reduce transaction costs, automate risk management, and segment customers efficiently.
Looking Ahead
iGaming in the US is expected to expand from seven to 10–15 states by 2029, with projected revenues of roughly $26 billion by 2030. Larger states, including New York, Ohio, and Illinois, are expected to contribute a significant portion. Operators are focusing on balancing regulatory compliance, profitability, and market growth as the industry evolves.
Source:
“Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker“, americangaming.org, December 22, 2025
The post 2025 Marks a Strong Year for US Gaming Revenue first appeared on RealMoneyAction.com.