American Gaming Association
AGA Research Reveals Consumers Know Sweepstakes Casinos are Gambling
As gaming regulators, state Attorneys General, and state legislatures continue to scrutinize the business practices of online “sweepstakes” casinos, new research shows that consumers overwhelmingly use these platforms to gamble – and that sweepstakes operators are heavily targeting players in key states. By exploiting loopholes in the law, these operations undermine the integrity of the legal, regulated gaming marketplace.
According to Sensor Tower data compiled by the American Gaming Association (AGA), half of all online, real-money casino advertisements seen by consumers in early 2025 promoted offshore “sweepstakes” casinos. The data shows these unregulated operators concentrate their advertising in populous states.
“These operators present themselves like legal, regulated platforms – but they operate outside the law and regulation. There are few if any responsible gaming tools, no regulatory oversight, and no consumer protections. It’s a dangerous subterfuge that puts players at real risk,” said AGA Vice President of Government Relations, Tres York.
Despite operating outside the regulated gaming market, “sweepstakes” casinos are widely perceived by players as gambling platforms, with 68% of users saying their primary reason for playing is to win real money. This confusion is no accident – many of these sites mimic the look, feel, and language of legal operators, blurring the line for consumers and reinforcing the need for clearer enforcement and public education.
Key findings include:
• 90% of sweepstakes casino users consider the activity to be gambling.
• 69% describe sweepstakes casinos as places to wager real money.
• 80% of sweepstakes players spend monthly, and nearly half spend weekly, without the safety nets offered by regulated operators.
The number of monthly sweepstakes casino players is twice as high in states lacking sweepstakes prohibitions.
“Sweepstakes” casinos aggressively market on popular digital platforms throughout the country. Legal, regulated gaming operators, by contrast, advertise responsibly in legal states where consumer protections and regulatory oversight are in place.
“The data is clear. Consumers see right through the ‘sweepstakes’ casino facade and they’re calling it what it is: gambling. We look forward to policymakers continuing to enforce their laws and create clarity through new policy measures to protect their residents,” added York.
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American Gaming Association
Registration Now Open for Global Gaming Expo 2026
Registration is now open for G2E 2026, presented by the American Gaming Association (AGA) and organized by RX. Global Gaming Expo returns to The Venetian Resort Las Vegas from Sept. 28 – Oct. 1, convening gaming leaders, innovators and decision-makers from around the world for the industry’s premier event. Exhibitors, media, and attendees can find more information and register now by visiting www.globalgamingexpo.com.
Supported by the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM), top highlights of the show include the debut of the Business Solutions & Tech Zone, showcasing the technologies and enterprise solutions powering today’s integrated resorts on and off the casino floor. The highly-anticipated G2E Dealer Championship will return, expanding to include dealers from Canada and Mexico to compete for the best dealer in North America.
“Gaming is always evolving, and G2E remains the industry’s premier destination for global collaboration, business growth and innovation. By convening operators, suppliers, regulators and industry leaders from around the world, G2E creates opportunities to explore emerging technologies, exchange ideas and explore the trends taking place across gaming. We look forward to welcoming the industry back this September,” said Korbi Carrison, RX’s Event Vice President for G2E.
For more than 25 years, G2E has been the most influential trade event for the legal, state, tribal and globally regulated gaming industry, driving advancements across casinos, hospitality, technology, iGaming, sports betting and more. The event will welcome over 25,000 industry professionals from more than 120 countries, regions and territories and nearly 400 exhibitors showcasing the latest global gaming technologies.
“What has always set G2E apart is the show’s ability to bring together people from across the gaming ecosystem for meaningful conversations that shape the future of the industry. From emerging technologies to evolving regulations, G2E provides a forum for the conversations that matter most. The continued growth and momentum across the industry are reflected in the strength of the event itself, and we expect another impactful year in 2026,” said Maureen Beddis, AGA’s Senior Vice President of Membership and Events.
G2E 2026 will reflect the dynamic gaming industry with a diverse range of offerings and experiences:
• The G2E Main Stage will feature timely discussions with industry leaders and leading gaming operators to converse on what is shaping the future of legal gaming.
• The G2E Dealer Championship makes its grand return after the success of its inaugural appearance in 2025. This competition brings together the most skilled casino dealers to compete for recognition as the best gaming professional in North America, now expanding to include dealers across Canada and Mexico.
• The all-new Business Solutions & Tech Zone is a dedicated showcase for innovative tools and services like AI, data analytics, cybersecurity, payments, CRM and MarTech that help integrated resorts improve efficiency, personalization and revenue growth.
• The New Exhibitor Zone is a dedicated area for first and second time G2E exhibitors. This is the perfect area to connect with G2E’s newest exhibitors.
• In the iGaming Hub, attendees can explore the innovations shaping the future of online gaming. Through dedicated sessions and built-in networking opportunities, attendees can gain insights and discover what’s next in this rapidly evolving space.
• The G2E Networking Lounge and Media Zone returns in 2026, providing dedicated spaces for industry networking and media engagement directly on the expo floor.
• The 2026 education program features over 100 sessions and 330 speakers, offering insights from leading voices across gaming.
Education sessions will run from Sept. 28 – Oct. 1, and the expo hall will be open from Sept. 29 – Oct. 1.
The post Registration Now Open for Global Gaming Expo 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
AGA Gaming Industry Outlook
AGA: Gaming Executives Remain Optimistic as Industry Growth Continues; Sports Event Contracts Drive Rising Industry Concern
Gaming executives report a positive outlook on future industry conditions as key performance indicators continue to improve. At the same time, emerging risks – particularly from prediction market platforms offering sports event contracts – are increasingly shaping industry concerns, according to the American Gaming Association (AGA) Gaming Industry Outlook.
The Gaming Conditions Index (GCI) shows real economic activity – measured across gaming revenue, employment, wages, executive sentiment, and casino hotel event activity – grew 1.5 percent year-over-year, reflecting sustained confidence and momentum in the industry.
“The legal state- and tribal-regulated gaming industry continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability in a dynamic economic environment. Operators are focused on investing in innovation and delivering world-class entertainment, while also navigating an evolving competitive and regulatory landscape,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller.
Key Findings Include:
• More than 60 percent of executives expect increased capital investment, higher revenues, and stronger balance sheets over the next six to 12 months.
• Executive sentiment reached its highest level since Q3 2022, with a 21.4 percent net positive outlook across key business indicators.
• 62 percent of executives plan to increase capital investments over the next six to 12 months, while promotional activity is expected to decline for the second consecutive survey.
Emerging Threats
Despite strong fundamentals, prediction markets offering sports event contracts have emerged as a leading concern, with 81 percent of executives identifying them as a “very significant” risk to the regulated gaming industry.
“Illegal sports betting through sports event contracts is increasingly encroaching on legal, state-and tribal-regulated operators. It’s clear the legal, regulated industry views this is a threat, and will continue to fight back and protect the integrity of our industry,” said Miller.
Executives also cited several additional evolving risks impacting operations:
• Inflation, tariffs, and geopolitical risk continue to be major factors limiting operations, while federal regulatory concerns increased sharply.
• 54 percent of respondents cite employee wages as the top expense pressure, followed by tax and regulatory policy changes.
• 42 percent pointed to competition from new forms of gaming (up from 25 percent in Q3 2025).
Methodology
The AGA Gaming Industry Outlook is prepared biannually by Oxford Economics. It provides a timely measure of recent industry growth and future expectations based on executive sentiment, gaming activity, and economic indicators. The Q1 2026 survey was conducted between March 23 and April 8, 2026. A total of 26 executives participated, representing senior level AGA member executives from major international and domestic gaming companies, gaming equipment suppliers, and iGaming and sports betting operators.
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American Gaming Association
U.S. Commercial Gaming Revenue Hits $78.7 Billion in 2025
The U.S. commercial gaming industry reached a record high in 2025, generating $78.72 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR), a 9.2% increase over the previous year, according to the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker. In 2025, legal, state-regulated gaming generated $18.09 billion in gaming tax revenue, supporting state and local education, infrastructure, and other services across the country, up 15.1% over last year.
“For another year, legal commercial gaming in the United States has delivered exceptional results for consumers, operators, and the communities we serve. These record revenues and tax contributions demonstrate the broad appeal of regulated gaming markets and why strong state oversight remains essential as our industry evolves,” said Bill Miller, President and CEO of the American Gaming Association.
Growth Across the Industry in 2025:
• Traditional Gaming generated $50.94 billion in revenue, up 2.3%, while contributing $11.33 billion in taxes, a 7.2% increase.
• Sports Betting revenue rose to $16.96 billion, a 22.8% increase, on a total handle of $166.94 billion (+11.0%). State-regulated sportsbooks generated $3.71 billion in taxes, up 32.4% year-over-year.
• iGaming reached $10.74 billion in revenue (+27.6%) and delivered $2.59 billion in taxes, a 36.9% increase.
All 38 commercial gaming markets saw annual revenue increases in 2025. These figures reinforce strong consumer enthusiasm for legal, regulated gaming and highlight the expanding economic impact of state-regulated markets.
Protecting State- and Tribal-Regulated Gaming
Industry leaders and lawmakers continue to take a stand against prediction markets offering sports contracts outside state and tribal regulatory frameworks. These platforms operate without state oversight, are not subject to the same consumer protection and responsible gaming standards, and do not contribute tax revenue.
Even with a record state-regulated gaming tax impact in 2025, the AGA estimates that prediction markets offering sports event contracts have diverted more than $500 million in potential sports betting tax revenue to date.
“With 2025 marking another record year, the industry’s performance reinforces a clear principle. Sports betting belongs under state and tribal regulation. That’s how consumers are protected and how communities share in the benefits,” added Miller.
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