It’s interesting to note that sports betting has exploded in the US since May 2018, when the US Supreme Court struck down the PAPSA legislation that had previously prohibited the practice at the federal level. A total of 38 US states now offer mobile or retail sports betting, including the capital, Washington D.C.
Although a number of states continue to push back against such legislation, one of the most compelling arguments for legalizing sports betting is the amount of taxation revenue it will generate.
Of course, regulated sports betting and online gambling also support a large number of jobs, both digitally and at land-based resorts. But what’s the full economic impact of gambling on global economies, and should this always be considered in a positive light?
How has Remote Sports Betting Impacted the US Economy?
Since initially peaking at an all-time high in 2023, the US sports betting and casino sector has continued to go from strength to strength. More than $100 billion was wagered in the sports betting vertical alone during this 12-month period, which generated over $1.8 billion in tax revenue for state treasuries.
Now in its seventh year of regulated operations (outside of Nevada, at least), this marketplace has registered around $50 billion in cumulative lifetime gross revenue. The combined sports handle across all licensed states has moved north of $500 billion too, with states like New York and Pennsylvania having become particularly generative alongside industry stalwarts like New Jersey.
Interestingly, the impact of the industry on job creation is less overtly positive. A recent study found that 82% of respondents believed that the sector also creates jobs and secures investments in the US, potentially lowering unemployment across many states.
However, state-specific studies have suggested that the number of jobs created by the industry is negligible in some instances. For example, the University of Massachusetts Amherst released an economic impact study on the state on July 31st, 2025, revealing that just 118 net jobs had been generated by online sports betting.
This is despite the fact that DraftKings and FanDuel are licensed in Massachusetts, with these two brands dominating the total betting handle. DK is even based in the state, although it operated as a DFS betting site previously and already had a team of staff prior to May 2018. It was also suggested that net job creation was low because online sports betting had led to other job losses in alternative industries.
Does the Industry Support Well-Paid Jobs?
When appraising the attitude towards gambling in the US, it was also found that 82% agreed with the statement that remote betting creates well-paid jobs.
This assertion does seem to be supported by the data. Salary.com’s analysis has revealed that the average salary in North America’s online gambling industry is $125,838, which equates to €109,123 or £95,933. This is above the overall market average stateside, translating into an approximate hourly wage of around $60.
If we drill down deeper into these figures, online betting salaries in the US exist within a broad range from $110,292 to $143,083. This reflects the quality and diversity of roles in the marketplace, with the highest-paying positions involving senior leadership, project managers, and software developers.
So, while it may be argued that remote betting and gambling don’t create a large number of jobs in some states, the roles that are created tend to be well remunerated. The tax contribution is also significant in many states, although the exact levies applied vary from one jurisdiction to another.
The Last Word
Other potential socioeconomic impacts of remote betting include driving investment and attracting tourists (in the case of brick-and-mortar sportsbooks or casino resorts). Some 86% of US citizens agree that casinos tend to increase tourism and boost state revenues, and this trend is unlikely to change anytime soon.
Referring to the potential to reduce job opportunities in alternative industries, the remote betting space has faced similar criticisms in the UK. These are based on the notion that sports betting and casino sectors divert funding from other sectors, even those that produce significantly more economic activity.
Legal and regulated sectors must also deal with the societal harm and financial cost caused by addiction. This impacts economic productivity and diverts money to help pay for treatment.
Overall, however, the economic impact is more positive than it is negative. It also benefits from its relatively low tax rates, which are based on net gaming revenue and create a highly effective model for all parties.
