Casino gaming has been growing steadily since the 1970s and continues to expand today. There are more than 450 commercial casinos operating in 11 states that employ more than 300,000 people and contributed more than $5 billion in tax revenues to states last year alone.
If that seems like a lot, keep in mind that Americans spent as much as five times that money in 2006 eating at fast food restaurants than they spent in casinos.
Racetrack casinos, or "racinos," generated more than $3.5 billion in 2006, a 16 percent rise over 2005, and put more than a $1 billion into state coffers in tax revenues.
In 2006, 56.2 million people, a quarter of the adult population, visited casinos in over 371 million trips, an increase over the previous year.
Casino wages continue their rise, 2.5 percent over last year, and represent $13 billion in wages, benefits and tips. In terms of public perception, 80 percent of people polled believe visiting a casino is an acceptable thing and almost 70 percent see a casino as an economic engine for good in a community.
What this all means, in short, is that there will continue to be a growth in the industry for the foreseeable future. There will also be growth in several areas of the country, but there is still expected to be more applicants than jobs. Experience will be the key in the future as well as the ability to relocate to where the jobs are.
