Horizons Fall/Winter 2020

INDUSTRY UPDATE GAMING

How Casino Closures Unmasked the Winners & Losers in Online Gaming This article was originally published in Gaming & Leisure’s Fall 2020 Edition A rguably, the impact of COVID-19 hit the American gaming industry very hard as 100% of the brick-

Delaware, and New Jersey when all three states began offering online wagering in 2013. The following summarizes the recent history of legal online gaming in America, the facts on market cannibalization, the impact of protectionist policies in Nevada, and how taxes led to zero top-line revenue for Delaware casinos.

and-mortar casinos were closed for a three week period at the end of April 2020, with some continuing to be closed through the beginning of July 2020. Through these closures, there has been a renewed interest in online gaming expansion, as the digital economy and virtual transactions have been the business success stories amidst the pandemic. As the gaming industry begins to re- evaluate the prospects of online gaming, it is important to look back at the effectiveness of the policies implemented by Nevada,

Recent History of Legal Online Gaming in America

Legalized online gaming within the United States began in May 2013, with Nevada becoming the first state to offer online wagering through peer to peer wagering (i.e. online poker).

20 How Casino Closures Unmasked the Winners & Losers in Online Gaming