The gaming industry in the United States is now a major part of the economy. In 2024, US commercial casinos recorded $71.9 billion in revenue, the highest ever. Video games had a strong year too. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) reported $58.7 billion in US consumer spending on games in 2024.
Digital payments are part of this growth. Wallets and payment platforms make it easier for players to use legal sites and manage accounts. In countries like the Philippines, the trend is the same. As stated by iGaming expert Evelyn Balyton in one of his reviews for MightyTips, the rate at which the gaming industry is growing in the Philippines is impressive. It seems the nation is learning a lot from how the US runs its own gaming sector.
For instance, there are several modern ways to make gambling payments in the Philippines, including GCash, crypto, credit cards and even e-wallets like PayPal. However, whether you want to use a bookmaker or casino, experts advise that players pay attention to details before choosing a platform. As for casinos, players who prefer PayPal should read reviews about the most reliable online casino philippines paypal before registering with an operator
This article explains how gaming brings money into the US, how it supports local communities, and how it connects to tech, jobs, and tourism.
Jobs, Spending, and Local Growth
Gaming touches many types of work. Casinos support jobs in hotels, restaurants, transport, security, live shows, and retail. A 2023 industry study showed that gaming supported around 1.8 million US jobs, $104 billion in wages, and $53 billion in total tax revenue across the country. These jobs help towns and cities grow because workers spend their income locally.
Video games also support creative and technical careers. Studios hire artists, engineers, designers, testers, sound experts, writers, and marketing teams. Data from the ESA data shows that the US video-game industry supported almost 350,000 jobs in 2023, with high wages compared to other industries.
The average US gamer is 36 years old, and more than 60% of Americans play games. This steady interest helps studios plan ahead and spread spending across the year.
Legal online betting has created new work too. Companies need analysts, fraud-prevention teams, customer support, and responsible-gaming experts. This shows how digital gaming now adds to local economies instead of replacing physical jobs.
Tourism, Taxes, and Big Events
Gaming money does not stay inside casinos or studios. It spreads into local tourism. Cities like Las Vegas and Atlantic City depend on visitors who also spend money on food, concerts, shopping, transportation, and hotels. In 2024, state and local governments collected about $15.66 billion in gaming taxes, not counting income and sales taxes from workers and businesses.
Esports events also bring visitors. Large tournaments fill stadiums and attract millions of online viewers. Esports keeps drawing big sponsorship deals from brands. When a city hosts a tournament, it sees a rise in hotel bookings, ride-share trips, restaurant traffic, and event spending.
Technology, Devices, and Innovation
Gaming helps push technology forward. Companies like Nvidia and AMD build stronger chips because modern games need high performance. These chips later support fields like healthcare imaging, research labs, and artificial intelligence. VR and AR devices also grew because gamers wanted better immersion and smoother performance.
Steve Jobs once said, “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”
Many gaming developers start with simple ideas and end up driving major changes in tech. The same tools used to make games now help teachers, doctors, engineers, and scientists.
Cloud gaming is another growing part of the industry. It lets players enjoy big titles without buying expensive hardware. As high-speed internet improves across the country, more players turn to cloud platforms. This shift means more work for data-center operators, software engineers, and network-security teams.
Gabe Newell, president and co-founder of Valve, once said, “Piracy is almost always a service problem.”
His point was simple: when legal services are easy and better, people use them. This idea shapes how gaming companies improve downloads, pricing, payment systems, and anti-fraud tools. It also encourages states to regulate betting so players move away from illegal markets.
Sports Betting, Regulation, and Consumer Safety
More US states are legalizing sports betting. This shift brings large amounts of money into legal, taxed markets. In 2024, sports betting revenue hit $13.7 billion, up 25% from the previous year. Growth like this is only possible with strong rules around licensing, geolocation checks, and responsible-gaming tools.
Policies matter because they build trust. Clear rules will help protect players, prevent underage gambling, and block illegal operators.
Betting professional Evelyn Balyton stresses that good regulation also reduces fraud. Payment processors, ID-verification tools, and anti-money-laundering systems help keep gaming safe. This protects both players and companies, which encourages more investment and job growth.
Why the Industry Matters for the Future
Gaming has a wide reach. It supports direct sales, then multiplies that money through supply chains, retail stores, local services, and online platforms. It also drives improvements in:
- AI and game engines, which help other tech industries
- Cloud computing, which needs better servers and networks
- Payment systems, which improve safety and speed
- Tourism and live events, which support local businesses
Many players expect the market to grow again as new devices, portable gaming PCs, and cloud services become more common. Even when some parts of the industry slow down, the player base stays large.
Conclusion
Gaming is now a major part of the US economy. Casinos bring in record revenue and video games support hundreds of thousands of jobs. On the other hand, Esports and tourism keep cities busy. Even tech companies build new devices because games demand better tools.
Meanwhile, payments and regulations help keep everything safe and legal. With the right policies and ongoing innovation, gaming will continue to create jobs and drive growth across the entire country.
The article was provided by Evelyn Balyton.
