Over the past few years, the world gaming market has been all about Macau, China, the world’s largest and fastest-growing gambling Mecca. However, as revenue in Macau has started to drop in 2014 for a number of reasons, the U.S. gambling market has become the focus of many investors.
Everyone knows about Las Vegas and Atlantic City, but there are many other billion-dollar gambling destinations throughout the United States. Here’s a list of the top 10 American gambling hubs and their 2012 annual revenue.
10. Tunica/Lula, Mississippi ($821 Million)
With gambling illegal in neighboring Tennessee and Alabama, this destination draws a lot of out-of-staters.
9. The Poconos, Pennsylvania ($902 Million)
Resorts such as the 188-room Mount Airy and the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs offer visitors an excellent opportunity to get away and enjoy the ambiance of the Poconos.
8. Gulf Coast, Mississippi ($1.09 Billion)
Now that the gulf coast casinos have been rebuilt after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, visitors are once again flocking to Biloxi, Gulfport and Bay St. Louis to get lucky.
7. St. Louis, Missouri ($1.11 Billion)
Several Fortune 500 companies, such as Edward Jones, are headquartered in St. Louis, and many high-paid employees enjoy a bit of gambling on the weekends to blow off some steam.
6. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ($1.16 Billion)
Casinos such as Harrah’s, Parx Casino and Sugar House Casino offer visitors a chance to play traditional casino games, but Philadelphia’s horse races account for much of the local gambling revenue.
5. Connecticut ($1.23 Billion)
Connecticut’s gambling market notoriously draws customers from surrounding states such as Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island.
4. Detroit, Michigan ($1.42 Billion)
Despite the economic difficulties in Detroit over the past decade, the gambling industry is still flourishing in the area.
3. Chicago, Illinois ($2.24 Billion)
The greater Chicago area is home to more than a dozen casinos, and with plenty of tourists and locals looking to try their luck, the money pours in.
2. Atlantic City, New Jersey ($3.05 Billion)
Long before Las Vegas, Atlantic City was the original American gambling town. Even though it can’t compete with Vegas’ mega-resorts, it’s still the center of the gambling universe on the East Coast.
1. Las Vegas Strip, Nevada ($6.21 Billion)
It’s no surprise that Vegas takes the top spot. Travelers come from all over the world to gamble in Vegas, and they have deep pockets.
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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