AGA reports gaming at 81 per cent 2019 levels

AGA reports gaming at 81 per cent 2019 levels

The association’s tracker reported revenue of $9.04bn for Q3.

US.- The American Gaming Association’s (AGA) Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker has reported revenues of $9.04bn for the third quarter of 2020.

The figure represents a 294 per cent increase from the second quarter when states across the US closed gaming properties in an attempt to combat the spread of Covid-19. The number is 81 per cent of revenues from the same period in 2019.

Over 100 casinos reopened between July and September, meaning there were 902 commercial and tribal venues open by the end of the third quarter, 90.8 per cent of all properties.

Sanitary measures and capacity restrictions mean that revenue is still down on 2019 levels, with revenue for the first nine months down by 36.5 per cent on the first nine months of 2019.

Igaming made up for some of that, generating $435m in the third quarter.

The AGA’s president, Bill Miller, said: “Our industry continues to prioritize the health and safety of our employees, customers, and communities above all else. While these quarterly results are promising, the reality is a full recovery is dependent on continued public health measures to control prevalence rates.

“As state and local officials respond to current Covid-19 outbreaks with additional restrictions, urgent Congressional action to provide Covid-19 relief is even more crucial. Gaming employees and communities depend on it.”

Miller previously urged the government to offer forms of financial assistance to casinos and their employees during his speech at the G2E 2020 conference.