Commercial casinos in the United States generated economic activity to 1 percent of the US gross domestic product in 2010, the American Gaming Association said in its report, Beyond the Gaming Floor.
In all, the 566 casinos in operation in 2010 spread over 22 states, supported about $125 billion in spending and provide nearly 820,000 jobs, the AGA said.
The report also found that in 2010:
• Commercial casinos directly generated $49.7 billion in consumer spending.
• The industry supports $76 billion in spending with suppliers and other businesses, plus 470,000 jobs, when indirect and induced impacts are taken into account.
• Approximately two-thirds of the $125 billion in spending was generated in communities hosting casinos and in surrounding counties. The rest was generated elsewhere in the US.
• The gaming industry directly paid $16 million in taxes, with its effective tax rate totaling 32 percent.
• The average salary in the gaming segment of the casino industry exceeded that of other recreation and retail sectors.
• Consumer spending on the gaming industry has grown more than any other recreation sector and the broader economy in the last two decades.
• The casino industry generated $15.2 billion, or one-third of its revenues, from non-gaming sources.
The full report, titled Beyond the Casino Floor: Economic Impacts of the Commercial Casino Industry, can be viewed in the Fantini online links library at: Market Reports.
