The gambling market in North America, which includes the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is a huge business. And it contributes significantly to the economy and tourism industry of each region. By gambling market, we mean not only casinos but also sports betting and online gambling, the popularity of which has been multiplying in recent years. Let’s talk about the scope of these industries, discuss their rate of development, and how they affect tourism.
Overview
The gaming industry in North America is diverse, with the United States being the most significant player in this arena. The American Gaming Association estimates that gambling revenue in the US is 240 billion dollars. At the same time, the industry employs over 1.7 million people in 40 states. This amount includes commercial and tribal casinos and sports betting. The US sports betting share has grown rapidly since the Supreme Court legalized it in 2018.
The Canadian gambling market is smaller but also significant. The main focus here is on traditional casinos and online casinos. The Mexican market is more limited. Gambling is more strictly monitored here, but online casinos are allowed and accessible. Therefore, interest in them is growing.
Size of gambling markets
The largest market in North America is the United States. It significantly exceeds the size of Canada and Mexico combined. The U.S. well-developed casino industry and the presence of such giants as MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment are direct evidence of this. Some of the Las Vegas casinos are the best in the world. After legalization, sports betting in the US has become one of the most significant sources of revenue in many states.
The gaming market in Canada is quite large, with many traditional and online casinos. The number of online operators offering their services is growing rapidly in the country, but the leaders remain the big players—888 Holdings and Bet365.
In Mexico, the gambling industry is less developed and carefully controlled. A few traditional casinos are present here. The industry is not developing due to strict rules and restrictions. However, there is room for growth in the online casino industry.
How gambling affects tourism
Millions of tourists visit places like Las Vegas and Atlantic City every year, bringing significant revenue to the country’s budget. According to experts’ calculations, there are more than 1,500 casinos in the United States, including resorts. The infrastructure includes hotels and restaurants, and guests are offered entertainment activities such as golf, skiing, etc.
However, due to the development of the iGaming industry, the attendance of land-based casinos may decrease in the future. After all, today, 8 out of 10 Americans prefer to gamble online, most often in the most famous online casinos. According to the information published on this site, the games at 1win are very popular. Similarly, the attendance of other market leaders—Megapari, Parimatch, and Mostbet—can be high.
According to experts, the growing number of online casinos may negatively impact the best casino resorts in the world. Small and little-known casinos may suffer even more.
Cities such as Montreal and Vancouver boost tourism in Canada. Although the number of casino resorts in the country is not exact, it is estimated that there are about 20 to 30 major resorts where gambling is available to guests.
The tourism industry in Mexico is quite large, but gambling enthusiasts do not visit as often as in the U.S. and Canada. According to available data, the number of casino resorts in Mexico does not exceed 10. About 20 large casinos are located in the tourist areas of Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and others.
