Mobile Gambling is Ready to Takeoff in the U.S. in 2021

In May of 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the nation’s ban on sports betting. To say that one decision changed the face of gambling in the U.S. forever would be a gross understatement. In fact, that one decision has opened the door to a whole new gambling world for a whole new generation of gamblers.

As one state after another legalizes sports betting, many of the states are using the process to also legalize certain forms of online gambling. In states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, and Indiana, people can bet on sports and or online casino games right from the comfort of their homes. It is noteworthy that websites for gambling options like the Michigan Lottery have been in place for several years.

With the gambling industry going through changes, industry stakeholders have been trying to get a sense of where the industry is headed. If recent results are any indication of what is about to take place, the U.S. gambling industry had best be preparing for a gambling boom.

New Jersey Leading the Way

For seven decades, Nevada ruled as the number one gambling provider in the U.S. Thanks in large part to online and mobile gambling, the state of New Jersey now rules supreme. Not only is New Jersey number one in gambling handle and revenue, but the state is smashing prior U.S. monthly records.

In September, New Jersey reported sports betting handle of $748 million, a number that far exceeded the $614 million recorded by the state of Nevada in November of 2019. That’s a staggering number considering New Jersey residents have only been able to legally wager on sports for two years.

Even more telling about what is happening in the gambling industry is the fact New Jersey also reported online gambling revenue of $129 million for the month from all sources. With mobile gambling accounting for more than half of that number, it’s clear that online gamblers are using their computers and mobile devices to gamble at will.

Mobile Gambling in Other States

In the Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa came out of the Coronavirus shutdown with a fury led by state residents having access to mobile gambling apps.

In August, Illinois bookmakers took in over $139 million in sports wagers with 94% of that coming through mobile apps. In September, Indiana reported $207 million in sports betting handle with 83.4% of that coming through mobile apps. In Iowa, the September sports betting handle was $72 million with 69% attributable to mobile betting. Note: None of these numbers included online casino gambling, which is coming soon.

In all fairness, brick and mortar casinos in most states have been negatively impacted by the COVID lockdowns. That left online sports betting and casinos as the only viable gambling option for gamblers who were seeking action.

Still, the online and mobile gambling numbers that are being reported in the Midwest and other parts of the country are staggering. This isn’t a fad; this is a growing trend that bears watching as more states are slated to legalize online gambling activities in the near future.