US Casino Foot Traffic Down 1.7% In November But Some States Show Growth
US casinos saw a 1.7% decline in foot traffic in November compared with the same period last year.
The figures remain well below pre-pandemic 2019 levels, and November was the third-best month of the year so far, suggesting visitor numbers may be leveling off.
While national year-to-date figures are down 4.8% compared with 2024, there are signs of growth emerging in some states.
The Main Gambling States
Pennsylvania casinos experienced a 2.5% increase in visitor numbers and are up 28.9% compared with 2019.
The state has surpassed both New Jersey and Nevada in terms of generating the highest monthly gambling revenue in recent months.
Much of Pennsylvania’s recent growth, and its strong performance relative to other states, has been attributed to the rise of iGaming.
Online gambling was legalized in the state in 2017 and has continued to show significant growth ever since.
However, the Keystone State is also recording solid gains in retail casino visitation.
In contrast, Nevada continues to forgo iGaming regulation, arguing that it would cannibalize the Silver State’s substantial retail gambling market.
While Nevada has managed to maintain relatively stable gaming revenue, it has experienced a steady decline in visitor numbers and lacks online casinos to help offset those losses.
State Struggles
Unfortunately, many states continue to struggle. Illinois, for example, recorded an 11.3% decline compared with 2024, with visitor numbers down 26.5% from 2019 levels.
Despite posting another month of modest revenue gains in November, Detroit’s retail casinos experienced a 3.5% decline compared with 2024 and were down 27.6% against 2019.
Detroit’s decline has been attributed primarily to ongoing construction efforts.
Despite falling foot traffic, revenue figures have remained relatively stable, indicating that visitors who do attend casinos are spending more per visit.
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The decline in visitor numbers has been attributed to several factors.
Younger generations are drinking less alcohol, with recent studies suggesting that nearly 40% of adults under 35 do not drink.
They also show less interest in traditional showgirl-style casino entertainment.
Younger gamblers are more tech-savvy than their older counterparts, contributing to increased iGaming usage and revenue.
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While older generations value the social aspect of casino gambling, younger players are more comfortable gambling on mobile devices and increasingly view online social interaction as comparable to in-person experiences.
This shift from retail casinos to online gambling is likely to continue in the coming years.
Currently, only seven states have regulated online gambling markets. No new U.S. markets launched in 2025, but that could change in 2026.
Maine, Massachusetts and Virginia are among the states currently considering regulation, and continued budget pressures could prompt additional states to follow suit.
By contrast, New York has recently approved three new casino licenses.
The state will see the opening of Hard Rock Metropolitan Park and Bally’s Bronx, while Resorts World in Queens will be expanded from a video lottery terminal venue into a full-scale casino.
The first phase of the Resorts World Casino project could open in 2026, although full completion is not expected until 2030.
