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The American Gaming Association states that US casinos made $66.5 billion last year. This is $6 billion higher than 2022 which shows a great increase in income from gambling in the US. It includes revenue from casinos, sports betting, as well as online gaming sites. The state of Arizona reached an impressive record in revenue from gambling in the previous year. It is said that this increase in revenue is definitely helping the economy as it generated billions for state and local taxes.
Poker is one of the most popular games played by online users worldwide. Ever since its origins in the 1800s, poker has maintained its popularity to this day. One of the most popular poker versions nowadays is Texas Hold’em and it seems everyone is crazy about it. Another popular online game is plinko gambling. A fun fact is that, according to Nick Pappas, this game was introduced on the show The Price is Right in the 80s and it was here to stay as many casinos decided to implement it into their selection of games. Blackjack and roulette are games that have had steady popularity over the years at both land-based and online casinos. They are often featured in movies where some hotshot hero would have a hobby of playing. Therefore, many young people who wished to be cool could not wait for that first paycheck to go and play blackjack a bit and feel special. Another fun and sought-after game is baccarat. Despite it being James Bond’s favorite card game, it is quite easy and fun to play.
All these games are among the most popular and therefore, they are the ones that mostly participated in earning that huge revenue Arizona proudly achieved.
The sports betting market also proved to be lucrative in 2023 with more than 6.5 billion dollars wagered. The Arizona Department of Gambling claims that there was an increase in revenue by sports betting in Arizona and it is 8.9% compared to the year before, which is quite a significant rise. The amount of money that was kept after paying out all the winnings was around $545 million. The State government collected almost $35 million in taxes from sports betting, which is around 20% more than in 2022. Arizona took 7th place in the US for the most bets played on sports. This news will probably not come as a surprise, but most bets were actually placed online, either from a smartphone or a personal computer.
However, not all sportsbooks have had such a successful year. FanDuel and DraftKing did manage to stay prolific, but some others did not. For instance, BetMGM and Caesars took a hit as their revenue was smaller than the previous year. Despite the previously mentioned 4 most famous sportsbooks, there were a number of small ones that also managed to thrive in 2023 in Arizona. Desert Diamond Mobile, Betway and Sahara Bets all boast higher revenue. However, their share is not that significant as they are tiny compared to the top 2 mentioned.
Many people nowadays prefer to opt for the online casino version of gambling. However, the ones that still wish to experience gambling with all their senses have a selection of 25 casinos and they all have something worthy to offer. People’s favorite is the Talking Stick Resort & Casino which is said to resemble Las Vegas casinos. It attracts a lot of celebrities, so if you would like to see someone famous in a casino, this is the place to go in Arizona. Apart from a great poker room and a wide offer of card games and slot machines, there is also a nightclub, a shopping center and a spa, so you might consider staying there for a few nights.
On the other hand, if you are a type that prefers something a bit more luxurious, Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino should be your choice. There are more than 1000 slots to choose from, but the real treat is a fancy pool area with a swim-up bar. To top the experience, there are some very fine dining options, so your nights can be absolutely magical.
We-Ko-Pa Casino is a great choice for customers who enjoy both gambling and well-being. The spa treatments offered there are guaranteed to blow you away. So, if you are looking to play games and relax, this is the place for you.
Mazatzal Casino is another popular choice, as it features over 400 video games and video poker. This makes it a gamer’s haven and it definitely attracts a unique crowd of people with a common interest in gaming, so there is a chance for networking and meeting new friends.
