Casinos in United States

Discussing the gambling industry of the part of the world in which Las Vegas is accommodated- is it a topic too simple or too complicated? Perhaps the best word to describe it is challenging.

Located in North America, this large federation comprises 50 states, including the federal capital district of Washington DC, and 326 Indian reservations. Occupying the world’s third-largest land area, this part of the world represents the second-largest exclusive economic zone and one of the world’s most developed countries.

While avid gambling fans often debate whether Las Vegas or Macau represents the gambling capital of the world, no one can deny that the former undoubtedly deserves the reputation of iconic. After all, the fact that over 70% of tourists gamble when they visit the city confirms so.

However, the capital of Nevada is far away from being an illustrative example of the gambling industry of the United States. Some states, for example, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New Jersey permit all forms of gambling (online included), while Hawaii and Utah have a complete ban on all forms of gambling.

History of Gambling in the USA

Gambling was brought to America as early as the 16^th century when early French, British, and Spanish colonists brought European gambling games to American shores. The expansion continued during the age of colonialism when roulette entered the stage.

Horse racing betting and lotteries were gaining lots of traction, but the attitude towards gambling shifted significantly during the 19^th century. In 1920 the United States prohibited the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages, and made gambling illegal as well.

During the Great Depression, Nevada emerged as an early frontrunner in modern US gambling, as it legalized gambling to provide economic relief. In the late 20th century, tribal casinos began to flourish, taking advantage of the legislation that permitted them to establish commercial casinos.

In 2018, when the United States Supreme Court declared a federal ban on sports gambling (PASPA 1992) to be unconstitutional, states gradually began legalizing sports betting. This opened doors for the legalization of many other types of gambling, positioning the US as one of the fastest-growing gambling markets.

Laws & Regulations

Under the federal law of the United States, gambling is legal, but that doesn’t mean that every single state fully embraces and greenlights it. Each state has the freedom to regulate or prohibit this activity in whichever form within its borders.

Numerous states have quite rigorous restrictions in place regarding online and interstate gambling.

While the Federal Wire Act of 1961 did outlaw interstate wagering on sports, it failed to address other forms of gambling. Making the situation additionally confusing is that The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) did not specifically prohibit online gambling, but the financial transactions involving online gambling service providers.

As a result, some foreign gambling operators decided to shut down their services for US customers, while others continued to operate in gray areas.

When it comes to different types of gambling activities, the American Gaming Association (AGA) defined the following categories:

• Card rooms (public and private)
• Commercial casinos
• Charitable games and Bingo
• Tribal casinos
• Legal bookmaking
• Lotteries
• Parimutuel wagering
• Advance-deposit wagering

As of 2024, land-based gambling in the form of casinos is allowed in 24 US states and three US territories. The approximate number is 450, but bear in mind that it is susceptible to change.

Popular Games & Rewards Programs

Slot games are said to have a special place in the hearts of Americans, due to their simplicity, huge variety, and solid payout potential. One of the craziest facts related to Las Vegas is that actually most of the money generated comes from penny slots.

By the number of people who play it in the US, Blackjack without any doubt occupies the highest position when talking about card games. Other popular table games include Craps, Baccarat, and Roulette, as well as poker variants.

What’s even more, sports betting in the US is witnessing steady and notable growth. Although this form of gambling is mainly associated with the online sector, some land-based facilities have dedicated spaces with sports broadcasts, allowing guests to enjoy this form of entertainment.

Loyalty programs are said to be having immense value in American purchasing decisions. Gratitude for extended loyalty in the form of earning points, discounts, and small gifts plays an important role for consumers, and they make a perfect match in the gambling industry as well.

When it comes to rewards programs in land-based casinos, there are many different types. Basically, a player collects points for playing games, booking hotels, and dining and can later redeem them. The more the points the higher the status.

In most cases. The membership is free, but one needs to present an ID card to confirm their identity and that they are of legal age for gambling, of course. Usually, the validity period for points is one year (365 days), but the rules vary from one company to another.

Payment Options

A vast number of casinos in the United States have remained cash-based. There are ATMs inside the casinos or nearby, making it convenient for guests to obtain cash.

Some have TITO technology in place, serving as an excellent replacement for a bunch of coins and tokens. Standing short for Ticket-in, ticket-out, the system delivers a payout in the form of a printed barcoded ticket, which can later be redeemed for cash at the designated location within the establishment. Aside from eliminating piles of coins, this technology prevents people from cheating and tampering with the machines.

In the attempt to digitalize the land-based casino sector, a growing number of brick-and-mortar establishments are embracing digital payments. This makes it possible for guests to make payments using digital wallets, for example, Trustly and others. Nevada, California, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, and Florida have so far adopted cashless gaming and digital payment options for commercial and tribal casinos.

Pushing the limits, Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort teamed up with Everi Holdings to offer its guests to gamble using crypto. Following the integration of the B4U Financial cryptocurrency solution, players can effortlessly convert their digital assets into cash and enjoy playing their favorite games.