The US gaming sector started 2026 with steady growth and stronger business expectations. Operators remain positive on revenues and investment despite economic pressure. The latest Gaming Industry Outlook – presented by the American Gaming Association (AGA) – also showed rising concerns around online competition and prediction markets.

• The Gaming Industry Outlook showed industry activity rising 1.5% year-on-year in Q1 2026. Casino hotels continued to benefit from meetings and event bookings above pre-pandemic levels. Land-based operators are still seeing steady visitor demand.
• Executives remained positive on revenue and customer activity for both retail and online gaming. Net positive sentiment around revenue growth and balance sheet health reached 56%. Consumer spending on services is also expected to stay stable.
• Investment plans increased across operators and suppliers during the quarter. More than 60% of executives expect higher capital spending over the next year. Retail casinos and online operators are both continuing technology and expansion projects.
• Online competition became a bigger issue in the latest survey. Around 42% of executives said new gaming formats are limiting operations. Prediction markets were viewed as a major threat by 81% of respondents.
• Regulatory pressure also increased for gaming companies. Federal regulatory concerns rose to 46% from 29% in the previous survey. One executive described prediction markets as “unregulated and untaxed competition.”
• AI investment continued to grow across the industry, especially for online businesses. Half of executives expect AI to reduce costs over the next year. Cybersecurity and technology upgrades were also listed as key priorities.

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