Slot machine revenue in Nevada boosted by COVID-19

Slot machines are always a big revenue driver at casinos, but the games are really reaching new heights for Nevada. In the state, over 120,000 slots can be found via licensed nonrestricted locations with the majority offered in Clark County, home to Las Vegas. Within a time frame from April 2021 to March 2022, the nonrestricted license holders were able to generate over $9 billion in earnings.

This is a huge milestone, especially if you consider that the total amount won by casinos within this time frame is just over $14.3 billion. Looking back to the same time frame from 2019 to 2020, the same slot games generated just over $7.1 billion. This was with over 450 license holders in place compared to today’s 330.

Pandemic Provides Positive Impact on Slot Gaming

Looking at the 2019-2020 totals compared to 2021-2022 shows that even with fewer providers, earnings were much higher. Everyone associated with the industry, from casino owners to analysts and manufacturers of slot games feel that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the slot gaming industry in a positive manner.

For quite some time, after the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, players were unable to access any type of entertainment, including slot games. Casinos shut down for weeks and sometimes months before regulators and state officials felt it was safe to allow visitors.

Even then, the casinos were open on a restricted basis with mask mandates in place and social distancing a must. Over time, the restrictions were eased and players felt more at ease in visiting gambling towns like Las Vegas and enjoying casino gaming.

For Nevada slot machines, industry insiders feel that pent-up demand along with consumers having more money to spend from stimulus checks resulted in more slot gameplay. People were more open to traveling to casinos once they reopened and played slots in record numbers.

Manufacturers were also making slot games that were more appealing to players, especially those who enjoy casual gaming. According to reports, the principal with Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, Todd Eilers, stated that the lack of entertainment in some locations coupled with the federal stimulus helped to boost player spending.

Slots Gaining Ground Across the US and Canada

Todd Eilers also reported that the increase in slot gaming was not just seen in Nevada. States across the United States saw a boost in slot gross earnings as well as those in Canada when compared to pre-pandemic totals.

Slot machines seemed to be the preferred gaming choice among visitors, as the reeled machines did better than games like blackjack and roulette. So far, table games are still performing below pre-pandemic numbers.