The U.S. casinos generated over $27 billion in gross gaming revenues in 2003, reported the American Gaming Association.

U.S. gaming industry hits $27 billion in gross revenues in 2003

According to state regulatory agencies the U.S. casinos generated over $27 billion in gross gaming revenues in 2003, as reported by the American Gaming Association (AGA), which studies federal, legislative and regulatory issues of the U.S. gaming industry.

The volume of revenues in 2003, generated by the 443 commercial casinos in 11 states nationwide, has grown by nearly 2 percent against 2002.

From that revenue, casinos paid state and local governments $4.32 billion in direct gaming taxes. Employment figures rose slightly in 2003, with the industry providing jobs for 352,428 workers who earned more than $11.8 billion in salaries, including benefits and tips. The survey also reported on the six states with racetrack casinos, all of which had increases in gross revenue, tax payments and jobs.

"What these numbers signify is that even when the country is facing an extended period of economic uncertainty, Americans still set aside a portion of their disposable income for fun and entertainment," Fahrenkopf said. "This allows us to provide more job opportunities, with good salaries and benefits, in the communities where we do business."

Poker revenues in 2003 were at their highest level in a decade in Nevada and were the highest ever recorded in New Jersey, the only two states that track those revenues.

According to the AGA data, Americans spent $105 million on poker in Nevada and New Jersey alone in 2003. An additional $843.9 million is spent annually in card rooms, where the main source of revenue is poker. The survey also indicated players tend to be men aged from 21 to 39 with no distinct political affiliation.

The AGA has made the survey available at its website.