Much like the rest of the country, West Virginia gambling numbers were up in calendar year 2022 compared to the previous year.
In 2022, West Virginia gambling revenue totaled $769.2 million, according to the latest American Gaming Association report. That number factors in casino slots and table games, sports betting and online gambling. The Mountain State’s revenue totals for 2022 stand as a 16.8% jump from 2021’s figures.
West Virginia’s growth aligns closely with that of the country as a whole. The United States saw a 13.9% increase in gambling revenue in 2022. The Mountain State was one of 13 states to show 16% growth or better that year.
Nevada retained its spot as the country’s gaming capital. The state generated $12.84 billion in revenue last year, showing 10.5% growth from 2021. The Las Vegas Strip commanded the highest gambling revenue for an individual market with $8.24 billion.
States such as Connecticut (430.1%), Wyoming (268.5%), and Arizona (252.5%) showed tremendous growth too. Colorado (15.1%), Rhode Island (15.8%), and Kansas (18.5%) showed 2022 growth comparable to West Virginia‘s.
West Virginia’s Q4 gambling numbers rise year-to-year
Eleven states showed 20% growth or better in 2022’s fourth quarter. And West Virginia was one of them.
West Virginia’s revenue in the fourth quarter came out to $211 million — a 21.1% jump from 2021’s final quarter.
Traditional gambling in West Virginia jumped by almost 10%
2022 proved to be a record year for land-based casino gambling. Many states enjoyed a 5% or better increase in casino revenue over the year, and West Virginia was no exception.
The Mountain State’s traditional casino gaming revenue (slots, table games) grew by almost 10% from 2021 to 2022.
Overall, it’s been an encouraging trend to see since the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Gaming Association tracks casino visits by their share of the US adult population. After 2019, casino attendance across the country dropped for two straight years. 2022’s numbers for casino visitation countrywide are still down from 2019’s high, but they surpassed the 30% mark.
Keep an eye on online casino gambling this year
Online gambling continues to grow across the country. Close to 5% of all revenue in 2022 came from that sector, which is an increase from 2021’s mark. It’s not as though online gambling will surpass brick-and-mortar casinos any time soon. But it’s worth keeping an eye on as more states legalize the pastime.
West Virginia is one of six states to offer online gambling, and it will only continue to grow in the Mountain State.
Recently, DraftKings Casino announced a partnership with AGS. Play’n Go secured a Mountain State license just a few months ago.
In November, Hacksaw Gaming grabbed its first US license in West Virginia. Shortly before, Internet Vikings partnered with EveryMatrix to aid its online gambling efforts.
The point is, West Virginia online gambling isn’t going away any time soon. And as more states look to legalize the field, keep an eye on trends. As the AGA’s report shows, the online gambling industry has grown during these past four years.
As a whole, total gaming revenue jumped nearly 14% across the country
Factoring in slots, table games, sports betting, and online gambling, the United States’ gambling industry totaled $60.42 billion in revenue for the 2022 calendar year. That mark stands as a 13.9% jump from calendar year 2021’s figures. It’s 38.5% higher than 2019’s numbers — the year before the pandemic.
Of those different sectors, sports betting and online gambling grew the most. Sports betting’s $7.5 billion mark in 2022 proved to be a 72.7% skyrocket from 2021. Online gambling revenue totaled $5.02 billion in revenue, which stands as a 35.2% leap year-to-year.
It’s a great sign for the industry as a whole. 2022 marked the second straight year in which the gambling sector generated record-breaking revenue totals. The three major verticals (casino slots and table games, sports betting, and online gambling) set record revenue totals.
Total US gambling revenue on track to surpass $100 billion
The American Gaming Association doesn’t have every data point just yet. Later this year, the National Indian Gaming Commission will submit its tribal gaming revenue report. The country “will likely exceed $100 billion for the first time,” the AGA’s report reads.
