The US commercial gaming industry has reached a new quarterly record of over $16 billion in revenue, according to the American Gaming Association (AGA). This marks a significant milestone for the industry, which has been steadily growing over the past few years.

The AGA’s latest report, which covers the second quarter of 2021, shows that the industry generated $13.6 billion in revenue from casinos and $2.5 billion from sports betting. This represents a 4.1% increase in revenue compared to the same period last year.

The growth in revenue can be attributed to several factors, including the reopening of casinos after pandemic-related closures, the expansion of sports betting in several states, and the continued popularity of online gaming.

One of the biggest drivers of growth in the industry has been sports betting. Since the Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on sports betting in 2018, several states have legalized the activity. Currently, 32 states and Washington D.C. have legalized sports betting in some form.

The AGA report shows that sports betting revenue increased by 270% compared to the same period last year. This is largely due to the fact that more states have legalized sports betting and more people are participating in the activity.

Online gaming has also played a significant role in the industry’s growth. With more people staying at home due to the pandemic, online gaming has become increasingly popular. The AGA report shows that online gaming revenue increased by 22.1% compared to the same period last year.

Despite the growth in revenue, the industry still faces challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the ongoing labor shortage, which has made it difficult for casinos to find workers. This has led to reduced operating hours and limited amenities at some casinos.

Another challenge is the ongoing pandemic, which continues to impact the industry. While most casinos have reopened, some are still operating at reduced capacity or have limited amenities. The ongoing threat of the Delta variant also poses a risk to the industry’s recovery.

Overall, the US commercial gaming industry has reached a new milestone with over $16 billion in revenue for the second quarter of 2021. While the industry still faces challenges, the growth in revenue is a positive sign for the future. As more states legalize sports betting and online gaming continues to grow in popularity, the industry is poised for continued growth in the coming years.