With the dawn of the digital era, the gaming industry has grown in size dramatically as it moves online. There are a huge number of people entering the gaming world, both to test their skills in casino games and indulge in some video gaming. However, despite the rise in popularity of both video and casino gaming, the tabletop game industry is also thriving, with new board and card games being invented every year.
Some of the states most popular for both video and casino gaming may take you by surprise, while others will seem obvious – keep reading to find out more about where the gaming scene is biggest in the United States.
3 States with Biggest Video Gaming Scene
The video gaming scene in Maryland is the biggest in the country, due in part to the excellent game design courses offered at its universities, and some of the country’s key video game studios being based in the state. Maryland also boasts pretty high computer ownership rates, as well as extensive 5G coverage across the state, making it a mecca for video game enthusiasts.
New Jersey has the second-biggest gaming scene in the country, despite having many more social gaming networks present in the state than in Maryland and other contender states. The most-played game in the state is Among Us, with Mario being New Jersey’s most-loved gaming franchise of the last decade.
Coming in third, the gaming scene in California has grown steadily in recent years, thanks to the state’s various gaming conventions, as well as the many game development studios and publishers based in the state. The 10 gaming conventions and 5 Comic-Con events cover a range of gaming types, appealing to the state’s large and diverse gaming population.
The gaming industry in the Golden State has helped to create 218,100 jobs, either directly or through support work – more than any other state in America.
Top 3 Casino Gaming States
Nevada is the obvious frontrunner in the United States casino gaming scene. In 2021 alone, the state home to Sin City made an incredible $13.4 billion in revenue. With both Las Vegas and Reno, the decks are stacked in this state’s favour when it comes to the casino gaming popularity contest.
New Jersey is the second most popular state for casino gaming, both on and offline, thanks to Atlantic City and the state’s early adoption of online casino gaming. Over $150 million was brought in through internet betting as of July 2023. With over 20 sites and apps to choose from, players have a wide range of games and tournaments at their fingertips.
Connecticut is the third-biggest state for casino gaming after it legalised online casino gaming and sports betting in 2021. It has fast become one of the leading states on the online gambling scene. In December 2022, Connecticut turned over more than $1 billion through online gambling alone.
The state is also host to one of the biggest land-based casinos in the United States, Foxwood Casino, which has a staggering 7,000 slot machines and 400 tables, 100 of which are reversed solely for poker.
US Tabletop Gaming Market
The US tabletop game market is increasing in popularity and growing at a steady rate, despite the size of the video game and online and land-based casino markets in the country. The US maintains 28.81% of the global market, which was valued at $18 billion in 2022.
In-person activities have become much more important and prominent post-pandemic. For example, board game cafés have been popping up across the country providing a space for people to meet up, relax and play their favourite games. Tabletop games have also increased in popularity as the population looks for ways to take a break from screen time, which can quickly add up.
Card and dice-based role-playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons have seen a rise in favour thanks to their pop culture references in popular TV shows like The Big Bang Theory and Stranger Things. These games are also being adapted for digital and online platforms, allowing players to engage with fellow enthusiasts on a global level, with games being hosted on video call platforms such as Zoom and Google Meets.
Conclusion
There has been a massive growth surge in the gaming industry, thanks to the current digital revolution. New players are joining in on the fun daily, with the industry’s demographics becoming more and more diverse.
From edge-of-your-seat video gaming to dynamic casino entertainment, the industry has witnessed a huge inpouring of savvy enthusiasts. And with that, states are being forced to face constant competition for the top spot when it comes to being number one among gamers.
The presence of successful gaming studios, the legalisation of online gambling, and whether or not the state is host to traditional land-based casinos influence the success of gaming in the United States.
Somewhat surprisingly, tabletop gaming has also thrived, as players now look towards taking a break from screens and enjoying traditional more in-person connections.
