A joint study by Australian credit bureau illion and analytics firm AlphaBeta has revealed a 67% increase in online gambling in the past week alone following the recent shutdown of all non-essential services due to COVID-19. The figures revealed that consumers are logging on to online gaming sites and betting for entertainment while stuck at home. The online gambling industry has seen a huge uptick in player traffic. The food delivery industry has seen a 63% increase while online retail and subscription services are not far behind at 61%.

During these uncertain times, people are staying home to protect themselves and others from the COVID-19 virus. Governments around the globe are recommending self-isolation as the best method for containing the virus.

This has brought good news for the online gambling industry in the US. Brick-and-mortar casinos have closed all over the country, sports events are canceled, so sports betting is off-limits. All of this has led to an increase in online casino gambling activities.

News Highlights

• Online casinos across the country report an increase in revenue and volume
• Operators say players are turning to online slots, poker, roulette, and blackjack
• Progressive jackpot slots have already delivered massive prizes

Online Casino Gaming Surges Across the US

Online Gambling On The Rise Nj

The coronavirus outbreak has forced millions of people around the globe to stay home. With the sports betting market and land-based casinos shut down, players have decided to switch to online gambling.

While the US sports betting industry has come to a sudden halt, the online casino markets in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey report a spike in real money online casinos.

According to FOX Bets’s CEO Robin Chhabra:

When the NBA shut down, we saw a sharp increase since that date, and we’re seeing a very strong shift to poker and online casino.

Online Gambling On The Rise 2020

Robin Chhabra

Similar statements were issued by Resorts Casino’s President Mark Giannantonio, Golden Nugget’s Senior Vice President and General Manager of Online Gambling Thomas Winter, and Hard Rock’s President Joe Lupo.

Casino Site Operators See Business Boost

The online poker market has seen a spike in traffic and revenue during this time. Even FanDuel, which is primarily a name known to sports bettors, has reported online casino gambling activity increase to its page. Close to $240 million have been made in table games bets, primarily online blackjack and roulette.

FanDuel’s Director of Publicity Kevin Hennessy said:

Online Gambling On The Rise New York

We look forward to everyone’s favorite leagues returning whenever it is safe for them to do so. In the meantime, we remain as committed as ever to giving our fans more ways to win. We’ve seen a jump in new casino players in the last week in Pennsylvania as casino games become some of the most appealing content within our sportsbook app.

Kevin Hennessy

Hennessy finished his statement saying:

We were already working on adding more games, and given the recent activity/interest in the casino, we’ve accelerated that effort and plan to have new games in the market very soon.

Kevin Hennessy

Progressive Jackpots Have Struck

Mattias Stetz, the COO of Rust Street Interactive, the operator behind BetRivers and PlaySugarHouse, said they were seeing sports bettors shift to casino games from sportsbooks due to sports events cancellations.

We’ve seen quite a surge in online casino play. We expect that uptick to continue while Americans stay at home looking for ways to be entertained.

Mattias Stetz

But, something else happened, Stetz shared. Two lucky players scooped major prizes playing the progressive jackpot slot Divine Fortune. A Pennsylvania man and New Jersey woman hit close to $280,000 on bets as lows as $1. Stetz added:

During this challenging and unprecedented time, while most are staying home, it’s nice that we can provide another outlet for entertainment and a chance to win life-changing jackpots. It proves that even with a small bet, our players can win big.

Mattias Stetz

Responsible Gambling Reminder

And while playing online casino games from home is fun, players are encouraged to gamble responsibly. March was Problem Gambling Awareness Month, and activists are speaking out about the possible increase in gambling addictions.

Social distancing can lead to compulsive betting, so both new and existing gamblers should be well aware of their gambling habits and have them under control.

Each state that offers online gambling also provides websites and institutions where players can learn how to recognize warning signs or seek treatment.