The US casino industry is undoubtedly in rude health at the moment, with the sector set to post a new revenue record for 2021.
The American Gaming Association recently reported that more than $44.15 billion has been collected by the nation’s 987 commercial casinos this year.
The previous record was $43.65bn was set in 2019, and will be beaten by some distance with some states still to publish their November figures.
With December revenues also to be added to the tally, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that the $50bn mark could be topped in 2021.
Read on as we take a closer look at the three games which have been the driving force behind the online casino boom over the past 12 months.
Slots
In line with other major gambling jurisdictions, slots are responsible for more than three-quarters of the annual revenue generated by US casinos.
Much of their current popularity can be traced to the 1980s when video slots became all the rage in casinos, amusement arcades and other gaming venues.
This helped slots become a mainstream entertainment activity, and the genre has retained its status during the early part of the 21st century.
Online slots are now the go-to pastime for millions of casino players in the US – a trend that looks set to continue for the foreseeable future.
Roulette
Roulette is arguably THE most iconic of all gambling games, with the spinning wheel and felt table a staple part of casinos across the world.
The game was widely viewed as an activity undertaken by rich and famous people during the 20th century, but that perception has changed in the new millennium.
Online casinos have attracted a new demographic of players to roulette, which has had a significant effect on revenues within the sector.
Live casino games have also contributed to roulette’s popularity, with many operators reporting that they account for half of the revenues generated through their websites.
Blackjack
As the oldest of the three most popular casino games, it is little wonder that blackjack is loved by millions of players across the US.
The game’s simplicity is its most endearing feature, with players required to get as close to a total of 21 and beat the dealer’s hand to secure a winning return.
Another factor that makes blackjack so popular with players is it offers the best chance of making a consistent profit of any casino game.
Using perfect ‘basic strategy’ can reduce the house’s edge to just 0.5 percent, significantly better than the odds offered by slots, roulette and other casino games.
