Although they have been growing steadily, the gambling and sports betting markets have the potential to bust out in the coming years. Sports betting markets are expected to open up significantly on the heels of a monumental Supreme Court decision allowing states to regulate this market. Still, overcoming lingering skepticism and an aversion to money loss will likely need to happen for the markets to reach their full potential on a national scale.

For the purposes of this Report, Mintel has used the following definitions:

• Gambling is the wagering of money on an event or game with uncertain outcome.

• Sports betting is betting on sports events with a bookmaker or a betting exchange.

• The “casino industry” includes commercial casinos, tribal casinos, and racetrack casinos. This includes table games like poker, as well as EGDs (electronic gaming devices); Class II games such as bingo; and Class III games such as slot machines, blackjack, craps, and roulette. Card rooms are excluded from this Report.

• The term gambler identifies a person who has gambled or placed a bet in their lifetime.

This Report focuses primarily on gambling and sports betting in person. Online gambling is discussed but not included in market size or participation rates. States determine the legality of gambling within their borders. As of the publishing of this Report, interstate gambling is currently illegal.

This Report builds on the analysis of Casinos and Casino-style Gambling – US, August 2016.