Casino Giants Double Down on Digital Despite Economic Headwinds

Even with growing concerns about a worldwide economic slump caused by new trade taxes, top US casino and gaming executives have shown faith in their businesses’ ability to weather the storm. During recent profit talks, heads of companies like Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts, and Rush Street Interactive pointed out that their financial numbers for the first three months stayed strong, and in some areas even got better, when compared to the same time last year.

With Visitors Holding Steady, Casino Leaders Focus on iGaming Growth

Instead of scaling back, company leaders are ramping up their digital growth, focusing on online casinos and sports betting as crucial money-makers for the years ahead. While international travel to Las Vegas saw some ups and downs, with Canada standing out due to fewer visitors, casino spending stayed steady across all areas, reported Covers.

Tom Reeg, who is the CEO of Caesars, pointed out that despite news stories harping on financial troubles, people have not changed how they spend. The number of people visiting the company’s properties held steady into April, and Caesars does not expect to see a big drop in visitors for the rest of the second quarter.

Worries about new tariffs pushing up building and running costs did not bother many Nevada-based casino companies. They said they had enough inventory in stock for their upcoming projects, so they would not feel the price pinch right away.

Online Casinos Emerge as Safety Net Amid Budget Woes and Industry Shifts

Online betting and casino games are now seen as a way to protect against possible financial troubles. MGM and Caesars both made more money from online betting than last year. BetMGM turned a big loss into a $22 million profit in the first three months of 2025. Caesars did even better, making almost eight times more money in the same period.

Chicago’s Rush Street Interactive, which runs only online operations, also saw a boost from its BetRivers brand, showing that digital models can work well in today’s market.

Looking to the future, gaming bosses see a lot of room for growth in online casino gambling. While sports betting is now legal in many states, online casino games, such as slots and blackjack, are allowed in four states: New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Richard Schwartz, CEO of Rush Street, pointed out that ongoing financial troubles at the state level might lead lawmakers to think again about iGaming. As federal COVID-era aid money runs out, he claimed that regulated online casinos provide a strong answer to help close budget holes given the presence of unregulated offshore options.

While political pushback continues, often stemming from worries about rivalry with brick-and-mortar casinos, industry heads think the money perks of legal iGaming will win in the end. With or without an economic downturn, they keep their focus on growing their digital offerings as a key part of long-term expansion.