Over the past two decades, the gambling industry has grown rapidly thanks to the laws that allow for online wagering in many countries. For the US, certain states have passed laws that have allowed residents to engage in real money wagering on a mobile device or from home. As a result, these states have had some great economic gains, and as more states consider enacting laws, the country will benefit from the latest legislation.
In the US, the gambling industry was valued at over $41 billion in 2018, increasing over the past three years. The billion-dollar industry provides a way for players to engage in real money wagering activities from home. Moreover, players have found that this form of gambling offers multiple benefits over visiting land casinos.
With the latest worldwide health issues, online gambling has become even more popular, leading many US states to strongly consider passing bills that would allow residents to play real money casino titles or even engage in wagering on sports. The revenue generated from such legal sites would help boost and repay damaged economies and bring about many other welcome benefits.
Let’s take a look at how state legislation has been a positive thing for local economies and what benefits have been enjoyed once legal gambling online is introduced.
Online Casinos Generate Taxes
Any business that is up and running will help the local economy by paying taxes that are due to the state. The more a company generates in revenue, the more money it will pay in local and federal taxes. That money is then used to help communities in various ways. For example, online sites are quickly becoming a multi-billion dollar industry, and with new sites entering the US market regularly, more taxes are being generated.
In order for states to collect taxes, online casinos must be licensed as well as regulated. This means that only those conducting business in states where legislation has been passed will provide any benefit to the economy. This is one reason more states are looking to pass laws to allow online casinos to receive more in taxes that can be used to strengthen communities by offering more public programs, enhancing school departments, and more.
Job Creation
In today’s economy, it is not always easy to find gainful employment. In the US, unemployment rates are high, and the legalisation of online casinos has helped individual states lower those numbers and provide jobs to individuals. In addition, online casinos offer great job opportunities within the industry. Game developers, customer support agents, coders, and other technology roles are always needed for these sites to operate properly.
By offering legally operating gambling websites, states are able to expand the labor force and offer more jobs to help the economy overall and strengthen families and communities. One benefit to online casino jobs is the ability to work remotely. Many of the operating casinos in the US offer remote positions that cover a wide range of options from marketing to accounting. With remote positions available, more people have an opportunity to gain employment in this growing market.
Every time a new casino site is launched, it creates hundreds of jobs for residents. While you may think these jobs only relate to the gaming aspect of the casino, there are many more opportunities. For example, software developers will need more coders and developers, and operating sites will require technology experts, customer support staff, marketing specialists, etc. Thus, with the launch of a new casino site, more money can be pumped into the local economy, benefiting all involved.
Land Casinos Boost Tourism
While the focus lately has been on the benefits of online casinos, land casinos still contribute to the economy in a state. Many states in the US have operating commercial land casinos, and these all pay taxes and help create jobs. While these are great economic benefits, these venues have another purpose. They can increase tourism!
Everyone knows about playing at the best casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Both Nevada and New Jersey have benefitted from offering a great array of large casino resorts. Millions of people visit these cities each year to experience the excitement of playing at a world-class casino and having the chance to be a winner. While players are spending money and generating revenue, they are also helping the local economy.
Most people who visit a location to go to a land casino will also support local businesses. They stay at hotels, eat at restaurants, and shop at local stores. By increasing tourism, the economy benefits, and the money generated is turned back into community projects and other services that will benefit residents.
Enhanced Player Protection
As more states start to legalise gambling activities online, residents of those states will have better protection as they engage in online wagering. When states do not pass laws for online gaming, residents often turn to offshore casinos. This results in a loss of revenue within the US and also places players at risk.
The US states that allow online wagering offer licensed and regulated casinos. These provide a safe way to play real money games and ensure that players can use the most trusted banking methods in the industry. However, if players are forced to gamble offshore, they risk playing at rogue sites, and many may not support payments methods that can be used by those in the US.
This does not mean that every offshore casino is not safe. Many sites provide secure access and payment methods that can easily be used by those in the US. Some sites will offer popular methods like Visa, MasterCard, bank transfers, and more. Many US gamblers who live in states where online gambling is not yet legal will place their trust in an offshore site, and a PayId casino is a great choice. With this, players can link their bank account to make instant transfers without divulging their bank account details to the casino.
Online casinos that are operating within the US provide players with the best possible protection, as they follow US laws and make sure that payments are processed securely and legally. By offering casino options to residents, players will be able to wager within the US, which can help boost revenue within the state and strengthen the economy.
Gambling Addiction Prevention
One way to make sure a strong economy is maintained is to ensure the mental health and well-being of citizens. Unfortunately, when it comes to gambling, many people have a negative outlook and believe there are economic risks that are placed on the player. With gambling addictions often reported, many players take unnecessary risks and lose their financial resources while playing games. The increase in compulsive gambling is one fear that some may have when talking about legalising gambling.
However, people need to realise that the gambling addiction rate is not directly related to whether an action is legal or illegal. If people want to gamble, they will find ways to do so, whether laws are in place or not.
States that choose to legalise gambling can take preventative measures to protect players and offer assistance when needed. With the provision of resources that can deal with gambling addictions, players can get the help they need and even set limits that will prevent them from overspending. States in the US that already offer legal gaming also provide services to residents in the form of counselling or money management classes that can help those that battle gambling addiction.
When casinos and sportsbooks are licensed and regulated, operators can provide services to individuals. This can help the economy by assisting these players with managing their funds and helping to avoid large losses and unnecessary risk-taking. Thus, in the long run, legalising gambling can protect players and help them maintain financial security.
US States Benefit from Legal Online Casinos
When the US Government allowed states to regulate and license online casinos, some quickly jumped on board. New Jersey and Delaware were among the first states to start operating casino sites. While not many states have followed suit, you can see how the legislation does provide economic benefits. We provide some details in the states that now offer legal online casinos and how the revenue generated is used to benefit communities.
After online gambling was decriminalised in various states, activities increased, and the US contributed over 430 million dollars to the industry by the end of 2018. Based on research conducted by the American Gaming Association, it is believed that legal sports betting will account for $22 billion to the gross national product. In addition, local governments will also benefit as states will earn between 7 and 15% of the taxes. This results in almost $3.4 billion each year.
New Jersey Economic Impacts
New Jersey was one of the first states in the US to legalise online gambling, and the state also offers sports wagering online. Online gambling has provided a huge boost to the New Jersey economy, and it has actually been one reason for other states to pass laws for online gambling. Here are a few stats that show how successful online gambling legislation has been for his US state.
- Between the years 2013 and 2018, New Jersey earned $259 million in tax revenue from operating casino sites
- The industry has created over 6500 jobs for residents
- As of 2019, over $2 billion in sales has been recorded since online gambling was legalised
Based on economic impact reports, New Jersey is the Gold Standard for online gambling. Many states are trying to follow the structure this state has put into place to generate more revenue and improve employment numbers to battle struggling economies. Today, New Jersey takes in over $225 million each year from online gambling services. In addition, more than $20 million in taxes is generated monthly, with 4/5 of this being generated by online gambling.
Pennsylvania Economy
When online gambling was legalised in Pennsylvania, it was an instant success, and the state saw multiple operators going live and providing online and mobile platforms. In just two years, with iGaming being legal, the state betting amount grew to $309 million. In 2021, Pennsylvania set a record, earning over $101 billion in taxable iGaming revenue. This is only the second state in the nation to achieve a nine-figure revenue amount.
Through May of 2021, gaming operators have paid $41 billion in local and state taxes, and overall, the growth rate for the past year was 81%. Since Pennsylvania started to offer legal casino sites, the state has enjoyed a huge spike in revenue from taxes and has managed to employ over 7000 people within the industry.
West Virginia
The online casino market launched in West Virginia in July 2020 and has since been generating great revenue for the state. In July 2021, West Virginia enjoyed the best month since gambling legislation was passed. Online casinos generated more than $1 million in just three weeks. Since online sportsbooks were legalised in 2020, they have earned more than $1.3 million for the state. These funds are used to enhance educational programs and help the senior population. As for casinos operating online, the state continues to earn ongoing revenue. In the first 14 weeks after launching, online casinos earned $470,000 in tax revenue. In October of 2020, online casinos in West Virginia collected over $53 million.
Legal betting revenue is not just used for communities and the older population. It has also been used to create a scholarship fund for West Virginia students. There is a merit-based financial aid program called the Promise Scholarship, which is awarded to certain students to help with college funding.
Delaware
Delaware may be one of the smallest states in the United States, but it has thrived since online gambling has been legalised. In 2012, Delaware passed laws to allow the operation of online casinos, and the economy benefits from the tax revenue that is generated. The income tax is the online source in the state that brings in more money than gambling taxes due to the money earned from operating gambling sites. In addition, Delaware has offered college to more students, enhanced transit construction projects, and maintained employment numbers.
Despite only having three operating online casinos, Delaware proves how legalising online gambling has been beneficial for the state. These generate around $200,000 per month.
Legal Sports Betting Benefits
While just a handful of US states have legalised online casinos, almost half of the country has legalised online sports betting. The results have been quite amazing. The states that feature legal betting on sports events have generated millions in revenue to help local governments and communities. Not only do online sportsbook generate revenue for individual states, but there has also been a massive boost in the number of jobs that have been created. Legal sports betting operators are expected to support more than $11 billion of the labor income in the United States!
Legal sports betting not only benefits individual states but can help the US economy as a whole. It is believed that this form of betting will contribute $22 billion to the gross domestic product in the US. Across the nation, more than 200,000 jobs are supported across the nation due to the legalisation of online sports betting. This number is expected to grow as more states are taking action and moving towards passing laws to allow online operators to run sports wagering sites.
States that have legal sports betting have been a big help during the economic crisis we have been dealing with over the past two years. With many sports venues and casinos shut down, states relied on revenue generated by online betting sites. The profits and generated revenue have helped individual states financially suffering from the pandemic and have helped maintain communities.
With almost 24 states adopting laws to allow some form of sports betting, economies across the country have thrived. Reports show that almost 90% of all revenue generated from sports betting comes from online sites. As a result, states that embrace legal betting will not only be rewarded with tax revenues but will also have more business development opportunities. This can enhance economic growth and provide a way to benefit from continuous income streams since the industry continues to grow worldwide.
The Future of Gambling
Whether playing games in a casino setting or placing wagers on sporting events, gambling has been popular in the US for many years. While only some states have legalised gambling, we have shown the great economic perks of offering people a safe and secure place to engage in real money wagering. Whether states offer land casinos or online betting sites, there are great ways to boost revenue and stabilise an economy.
You can already see how legalising gambling has helped individual states. Those that are offering online casinos have enjoyed a huge increase in revenue and a stronger workforce. These states have been role models for others considering passing laws to increase revenue and help local communities.
Even though land-based gambling is legal in many states, the offering of online access can improve numbers overall and help create a stronger economy. Instead of letting players give money away to offer shore sites, states can capitalise on what is being spent by players betting on casino games or sporting events.
Every state in the country can set laws and legislation regulating online gambling. States can choose whether they wish to allow online casinos to operate or just offer sports betting. Either way, there is tons of money to be earned and many jobs to create by legalising gambling. As states take a closer look at what has been done elsewhere, like in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, they will see how passing legislation can quickly provide economic benefits for years to come.
Conclusion
The economic impacts in states that offer legalised gambling have been tremendous. There are more benefits than drawbacks, and these states offer regulated ways for residents to play in a secure e and controlled environment. Billions in revenue have already been generated, and with other states moving toward legalisation, the overall economy in the US will benefit. Thousands of jobs will be created, lowering unemployment rates and allowing families to thrive in their communities. In addition, more children will have access to educational resources, and even our elderly residents will receive more services.
Tax revenue is obviously the main benefit, and the money that is earned can be used for many things within the state. Scholarships can be created, and construction work can be completed, housing programs can be integrated into lower-income communities, and so much more. With billions in tax revenue available from gambling, economies have endless opportunities to rebuild, maintain, and thrive in the coming years, all from the legalisation of gambling.
While there will always be opposition, the gambling industry continues to grow in the US. With online and mobile betting now offered in many states, people see how gambling can be a benefit and not a downfall to society and the economy. Gambling laws will continue to be regulated by individual states, so there are chances for many more betting opportunities to open up in the coming years as states see the great benefits that can be enjoyed from passing gambling laws.
