Gambling in the USA
Las Vegas Casino Culture Suffers Rejection by New Gen Gamblers
The latest statistics confirm the social chatter that Las Vegas tourism has hit a dramatic low, with some even calling Vegas an experience of the past.
Only 3.1 million people visited Sin City in June, down 11.3% compared to last year, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA).
Social media users have called out the high prices of everything from dining to parking, citing these and other reasons for staying away.
Robby Starbuck, conservative activist and host of “The Robby Starbuck Show,” says it is not just prices that are keeping people out of Vegas.
“Now nearly everyone under 40 who bets seems to do it online,” Starbuck said.
“I don’t know one person under 40 who goes to Vegas regularly to bet or play slots,” he added.
“This trend will continue with younger people because, honestly, our minds are wired differently.”
The U.S. online gambling market in 2024 was estimated at $12.68 billion, according to Grand View Research.
Starbuck said generational differences also could be pushing down the popularity of visiting Las Vegas.
“Another differentiator is that older generations focused on real-life interaction, while younger generations feel just as content with parasocial online experiences,” he said.
“The Vegas marketing image is one centered on slots and showgirls, two things young people have no interest in,” said Starbuck.
He added: “The typical casino feel and marketing just won’t be as successful with young people who have 40 options to gamble on their phones from the comfort of their own home.”
An additional generational difference, Starbuck pointed out, is that younger generations are ditching the bottle.
“Younger generations drink alcohol at lower rates than older generations did at their age. That’s going to have a material impact on the Vegas business model if young people drink less,” he said.
The number of people in their 20s who chose to abstain from alcohol more than doubled between 2001 and 2019, going from 9% to 22%, according to a 2019 National Drug Strategy Household survey. And a recent Gallup survey found that roughly 38% of adults under age 35 now identify as fully abstaining from alcohol.
In addition, more than a quarter of Gen Z respondents felt “very concerned” about the potential health effects of drinking alcohol, according to Civic Science.
The hotel industry is also feeling the burn of fewer visitors.
Occupancy rates dropped 6.5%, while average daily room rates have lowered to $163.64 – down 6.6%, according to the LVCVA.
Meanwhile, a 43-story hotel and casino has been put on an indefinite pause, SF Gate reported.
The property has a prime location on the Vegas strip and will remain an empty lot for parking for now.
Starbuck said he’s been to Las Vegas a number of times in his life and doesn’t see himself visiting again unless there is a change.
“If it feels like a place where I can see the future and bring my whole family, then you’ll see me in Vegas again,” he said.
“Without that kind of transformation, Vegas is in trouble in the coming decades,” he predicted.
“If Vegas wants to win with young people in the future, it’s going to have to transition to a must-see destination that makes you feel like you have just entered the future.”
The post Las Vegas Casino Culture Suffers Rejection by New Gen Gamblers appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Arizona
Arizona Department of Gaming Marks Fifth Super Bowl of Legal Sports Betting — November Wagers Top $965M
The Arizona Department of Gaming today highlighted a major milestone: the upcoming Super Bowl will be the fifth played under Arizona’s legal, state-regulated sports wagering framework. Since regulated event wagering launched in 2021, Arizona’s oversight—guided by state law and Tribal-State Compacts—has aimed to protect consumers, preserve integrity, and generate public revenue.
Key November 2025 figures: strong wagering growth
In its latest monthly report, the Department said Arizona bettors wagered approximately $965 million on sports and events in November 2025 — about a 7.5% increase versus November 2024. The state collected roughly $5.5 million in privilege fees for the month.* Fiscal year-to-date privilege fees total $26.3 million (about $25.7M from event wagering and $637,399 from fantasy sports).
Arizona also recorded its highest monthly event wagering in October 2025 with $967,141,269, and the second-highest in November 2025 with $965,233,844.*
Regulated framework and consumer protections
Arizona’s regulated model requires licensed operators to follow statutory rules, Tribal-State Compacts, and ongoing regulatory oversight. The Department conducts audits, compliance reviews, and integrity controls designed to prevent fraud and illegal activity. Licensed event wagering operators remit privilege fees, calculated as a percentage of gaming revenue — with 90% of those fees directed to Arizona’s General Fund to support state programs and priorities.
There are currently fourteen licensed event wagering operators approved to offer wagering in Arizona, each subject to ongoing Department review and potential audit adjustments.
Responsible play and support resources
The Department emphasizes the importance of using state-licensed event wagering and fantasy sports apps or retail locations. For guidance and safety tips, players are encouraged to visit Check Your Bet at gaming.az.gov/checkyourbet.
For individuals and families affected by problem gambling, the Department’s Division of Problem Gambling offers confidential, subsidized treatment and resources statewide at problemgambling.az.com.
* Disclaimer: Monthly operator figures are self-reported and subject to adjustment after Department audits and review. The Department does not guarantee the final accuracy of the self-reported totals.
The post Arizona Department of Gaming Marks Fifth Super Bowl of Legal Sports Betting — November Wagers Top $965M appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Gambling in the USA
Arizona Department of Gaming Marks Fifth Super Bowl of Legal, State Regulated Sports Betting
Department additionally releases November event wagering and fantasy sports numbers
The Arizona Department of Gaming (Department) today recognized that the upcoming Super Bowl will mark the fifth Super Bowl conducted under Arizona’s legal, state-regulated sports wagering framework. This milestone reflects five years of regulated event wagering operating pursuant to Arizona state law, Tribal-State Compacts, and comprehensive regulatory oversight designed to protect consumers, uphold integrity, and generate public revenue.
“The regulated gaming market in Arizona plays a critical role in ensuring a safe environment for sports wagering – offering responsible entertainment options to millions of Arizonans,” said Jackie Johnson, Department Director. “During major events such as the Super Bowl, regulated gaming supports economic activity, sustains industry jobs, and generates consistent funding that helps finance important local and state programs and priorities.”
Since the launch of regulated event wagering in 2021, the Department has built and executed a regulatory system that serves Arizonans through alignment with consumer protections, responsible gaming, fraud prevention, and more— across major sporting events and marquee games such as the Super Bowl.
The Department oversees licensed event wagering operators through ongoing regulatory processes, audits, and compliance reviews. These efforts are designed to ensure adherence to statutory requirements, responsible gaming standards, and integrity controls, including protections against fraud and illegal activity. Licensed operators are also required to remit privilege fees to the State of Arizona, which are deposited into the state’s General Fund.
As enacted by the Arizona State Legislature and through the 2021 Amended and Restated Tribal-State Compacts, the State of Arizona allows for eligible operators to apply to the Department for an event wagering license. Today, there are fourteen licensed event wagering operators. Event wagering licensees pay privilege fees to the state, calculated as a percentage of gaming revenue, with 90 percent of the fees flowing to the state’s General Fund.
On a monthly basis, the Arizona Department of Gaming releases event wagering and fantasy sports figures. Today, it released its latest reporting of monthly figures – covering November 2025, in which bettors in Arizona wagered approximately $965 million on sports and events. This represents an approximate 7.5 percent increase when compared to November of 2024. The state collected approximately $5.5 million in privilege fees in the month.*
To view the full report, see: gaming.az.gov/resources/reports. Fiscal year-to-date regulated event wagering and fantasy sports privilege fees in Arizona have totaled $26.3 million, including $25.7 million in event wagering and $637,399 in fantasy sports.*
In its five-plus years since the launch of sports betting, the Department saw its highest event wagering activity recorded in October 2025 with a total of $967,141,269 – and the second highest record in November 2025 with a total of $965,233,844.*
To learn about why it’s important to play with a state-licensed event wagering or fantasy sports app or retail location this Super Bowl, visit Check Your Bet at gaming.az.gov/checkyourbet, an initiative of the Arizona Department of Gaming.
The Department’s Division of Problem Gambling provides resources statewide to individuals and families impacted by problem gambling. Services include access to confidential, subsidized treatment options. Visit problemgambling.az.com to learn more.
* Disclaimer: These numbers are self-reported by the operators; as such, these numbers are subject to adjustments after audit and review by the Arizona Department of Gaming. The Department makes no assurances regarding the accuracy of these numbers.
The post Arizona Department of Gaming Marks Fifth Super Bowl of Legal, State Regulated Sports Betting appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
American gambling industry
Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – January 26-February 1
Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.
Latest News
ComeOn Group has launched its new marketing campaign in Ontario. The campaign underscores ComeOn Group’s long-term commitment to sustainable expansion – powered by ComeOn’s proprietary technology and a clear focus on delivering standout, personalised entertainment experiences at scale. At the centre of the campaign is a series of premium television commercials starring Jeremy Piven, a long-standing ComeOn brand ambassador. Piven’s high-energy presence and authentic connection to sports reinforce the brand’s entertainment-first positioning, bringing ComeOn’s sportsbook experience to life across TV and digital. Produced by ComeOn Group’s internal creative hub, the campaign provides a cohesive creative platform that clearly differentiates the brand in a crowded market.
Michigan commercial and tribal operators have reported a combined $399.8 million total internet gaming (iGaming) gross receipts and gross sports betting receipts in December. Gross receipts increased 19.1% compared to November. December iGaming gross receipts totaled $315.8 million, the highest to date. The previous high was $278.5 million recorded in October 2025. December gross sports betting receipts totaled $84.0 million, which is a decrease from the $87.3 million recorded in November. Combined total iGaming and internet sports betting adjusted gross receipts (AGR) for December were $357.87 million, including $296.74 million from iGaming and $61.13 million from internet sports betting — representing an iGaming increase of 27.2% and a sports betting decrease of 5.6% when compared to November 2025.
The Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprise celebrated the highly-anticipated grand opening of Live! Casino Virginia, the region’s first full-scale casino. The opening of the temporary gaming facility marks an important milestone in bringing new jobs, economic development and tourism to the region while construction advances on the permanent resort destination next door. Located just 25 miles south of Richmond and only 45 miles north of the North Carolina border, Live! Casino Virginia is conveniently off I-95 at Exit 48B. Live! Casino Virginia delivers a full-scale gaming experience 24 hours a day, seven days a week, featuring 75,000 square feet of gaming space with more than 900 state-of-the-art slot machines and over 30 live-action table games.
Partnerships
GuardDog, a responsible play innovation fund from Underdog, has announced an investment in Regen, the first platform to automatically convert entries into savings with every play. In addition to the investment, Underdog will feature Regen as a new resource in its responsible play hub, highlight Regen in customer communications from the responsible play and customer support teams as well as provide access to the platform to all of its employees. Regen allows users to link their sportsbook, fantasy sports and prediction market accounts, and automatically save a small percentage from every entry, win or loss, creating savings without changing how they play.
Table Trac Inc. has announced that the Mardi Gras Hotel & Casino located in Las Vegas, United States, Nevada, will soon have Table Trac Inc.’s CasinoTrac casino management system installed. Mardi Gras Hotel and Casino is located just steps from the Las Vegas Convention Center and Main Monorail terminal the Mardi Gras is convenient to all of the World Famous attractions of Las Vegas.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – January 26-February 1 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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