Campaign for Fairer Gambling report estimates illegal operators account for 74% of US igaming
A new report from gambling reform organization the Campaign for Fairer Gambling estimates that 74% of the igaming market in the United States runs through illegal operators, accounting for US$67.1 billion.
The USA National 2024 estimates the entire industry to be worth US$90.1 billion in 2024, suggesting the market has grown by 56% from 2023. The illegal sector grew by 64% compared to legal growth of 36%.
The report suggests that 917 illegal gambling operators target the country compared to 95 legal operations. Meanwhile, 668 affiliates promote illegal activity targeting the US.
“US legalization of internet gambling without a gameplan to tackle the illegal sector has been an unmitigated disaster,” Derek Webb, Founder of the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, said. “In California, where online gambling is illegal, the total population loss per capita for 2024 is $141. In comparison with New Jersey, where online sports and casino gambling are legal, the illegal loss per capita on sports is $103 and on casino is $169, being a total of $272, nearly twice as much as in California. Any pundit, commentator, legislator, regulator, lawyer or lobbyist selling legalization alone as a cure for illegal online gambling should be ashamed.”
California had the most significant illegal market in 2024, with a market of US$5.4 billion. The state has yet to legalize online sports betting or casinos.
New York had the most significant overall gambling market, including legal and illegal options, with illegal gambling accounting for 72% of the US$7.3 billion market. New York legalized online sports betting in January 2022 but has no legalized online casinos.
The USA 2024 National puts audience exposure to illegal gambling at 88% based on advertising, streaming, affiliates, social media, apps and peer-to-peer communication.
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