📊 Illegal Gambling Market Soars in the U.S.

• The illegal gambling sector has grown by 22% since 2022, now accounting for nearly one-third (31.9%) of the total U.S. gaming market.

• Americans wager approximately $673.6 billion annually with illegal operators across iGaming, sports betting, and unregulated skill games.

• Illegal operators generate about $53.9 billion in revenue per year, causing an estimated $15.3 billion in lost tax revenue for states and communities.

⚠️ Breakdown of Illegal Gambling Types

• Illegal Sports Betting:

  • Americans bet $84 billion with illegal/offshore sportsbooks.

  • These firms earned $5 billion in revenue, leading to $1 billion in tax losses.

• Skill-Based Gaming:

  • Estimated 625,000 unregulated skill machines nationwide.

  • This sector increased 7.7% since 2022, generating $30.3 billion and causing $9.5 billion in lost taxes.

• Illegal iGaming:

  • Revenue surged nearly 38% to $18.6 billion from illegal online table games and slots.

  • The share of players using only legal sites dropped from 52% in 2022 to 24%, while those using both legal and illegal sites rose to 49%.

🗣️ AGA’s Call to Action

• Bill Miller, AGA President & CEO, emphasized the urgent need for a national crackdown on illegal gambling.

• Miller warned that illegal operators:

  • Operate without paying taxes or offering consumer protections.

  • Undermine legal markets and deprive states of vital public funds.

  • Ignore responsible gambling safeguards, putting players at risk.