Hot, Hot, Hot: Nevada Desert Blooms in July

Betting revenue in the Desert State hit an all-time high in July, totalling an astonishing US$1.36 billion (£989m/€1.15bn), the most successful month in the 90-odd years since betting was legalised in the state on March 19, 1931.

As one journalist wrote at that time:

“The lid is off now, the sky is the limit, and investors can feel safe to place their money here in high-class gambling casinos.”

And July’s total topped the previous record of US$1.23 billion (£901m/€1.04bn), set only this past May.

July was up almost 80 per cent, year-on-year, and nearly 15 per cent up on June this year.

Las Vegas, alone, recorded total July gaming revenue of US$1.16 billion (£843m/€983m), with the iconic Strip contributing more than a third of the bag at US$409.6 million (£297.8m/€347.2m).

Slots remained king of the floor, spinning US$873.7 million (£635.2m/€740.7m) in revenue, marginally up on June’s US$868.1 million (£631.1m/€735.9m).

Traditional table and counter card games, such as blackjack, enjoyed a near-50 per cent hike to US$468.2 million (£340.4m/€396.9m).

Sportsbook and pari-mutuel sports betting also did their bit, hitting record revenue highs of US$33.3 million (£24.2m/€28.2m) and US$3.2 million (£2.3m/€2.7m), respectively.

Betting on baseball led the way with US$19 million (£13.8m/€16.1m) in revenue, followed by basketball’s US$5.9 million (£4.3m/€5m).

Meantime, according to stats published by Nevada’s Gaming Control Board, during July iGaming generated a total of US$13.6 million (£9.9m/€11.5m) in sports betting revenue.

It’s enough to slake anyone’s gaming thirst.