US Gaming Industry Rebounds as Executive Optimism Rises

According to the American Gaming Association’s (АGА) Gaming Industry Outlook survey, executives expressed optimism about the key performance indicators of the US gaming industry. Industry leaders pointed to rising revenues, stronger balance sheets, increased consumer activity, and reduced promotional spending as signs of the sector’s overall strength.

Gambling Honchos’ Optimism About the Sector Rises, Survey Finds

AGA’s Gaming Industry Outlook, prepared by Oxford Economics, offers an up-to-date assessment of recent industry performance and future expectations. The third-quarter survey, conducted between August 26 and September 8, gathered responses from 28 senior executives representing international and domestic gaming companies, tribal operators, equipment suppliers, as well as iGaming and sports betting firms.

The US gaming industry showed signs of renewed momentum in the third quarter, according to the latest data. The report showed a 3.1% year-over-year increase in real economic activity. The Gaming Conditions Index tracks a range of indicators such as including gaming revenue, employment, wages, executive sentiment, and casino hotel event activity. Results mark the first quarterly expansion since late 2024, reversing the modest contractions seen earlier this year.

Key findings from the report include many positive outlooks, including an overall sentiment among gaming executives that climbed to a net positive 7.1% in the third quarter, the strongest reading since Q3 2022. Additionally, the near-term business outlook jumped to an 11% net positive, up sharply from -18% earlier this year.

Finally, the report indicated that long-term optimism among gambling industry giants is rising, as about 26% of executives expect stronger business conditions over the next six to twelve months. The results signal renewed confidence across nearly all areas of the gaming industry, reflecting steady gains in revenue and consumer activity heading into the year’s final quarter.

Officials Talk About the Recent Trend

AGA vice president of research David Forman noted that the industry’s outlook is the most positive it has been in years, following a strong summer that highlighted both the resilience of gaming consumers and the enduring appeal of gaming products. He added that although executives are growing more concerned about regulatory and tax challenges, they remain committed to reinvesting in capital projects to deliver engaging gaming experiences and upgraded amenities for players.

Recently, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) CEO Steve Hill also shared some positive thoughts about the US gambling industry. He pointed out that new data is showing that there will soon be a strong comeback on many metrics, such as appeal to tourists and worldwide visibility, suggesting that a big growth is coming.

However, half of the executives surveyed identified state regulatory issues as a key limitation to said growth. Despite these challenges, industry leaders remain confident in the long-term strength of the US gaming sector and anticipate that capital investment will hold steady over the next 12 months.