An examination carried out by the American Gaming Association (AGA) reveals that the US gaming sector witnessed a more gradual but consistent expansion rate in the initial three months of the year.
The AGA’s “Gaming Outlook” report indicates that the Current Conditions Index for the first quarter of 2024 was 102.8. The AGA clarifies that this aligns with a real annualized growth rate of 2.8%. The Current Conditions Index analyzes economic activity within the US casino gaming industry, encompassing factors such as gaming revenue and employee compensation.
The AGA’s Future Conditions Index also reached 102.2 in the first quarter, forecasting a 2.2% annualized growth rate for economic activity in the US gaming industry over the subsequent six months. The Future Conditions Index gauges anticipated trends in the state of the US casino gaming industry, examining the economic environment, consumer sentiment, and overall sentiment of the AGA Gaming Executive Panel, which is composed of senior members of the AGA representing the industry.
The AGA collected 32 survey responses from US gaming company executives for its “Gaming Outlook.” Executives expressed a generally moderate view of present conditions but a cautiously optimistic outlook for the future.
The top economic indicator (LEI) also shows that the financial system is more adaptable than initially predicted, although it is anticipated to decelerate for the remainder of 2024.
Financial expansion has slowed compared to previous periods. The Entertainment Software Association’s (ESA) Current Conditions Index reveals that actual financial activity in 2023 is slower than in 2021 and 2022.
However, the gauge remains at a positive 102.8, suggesting that “the sector continues to expand steadily,” although high inflation has somewhat tempered its findings. This follows a reading of 108.8 in the final quarter of 2023, consistent with an annualized growth rate of 8.8%.
Game company leaders’ expectations for future expansion are roughly the same as they were six months ago. Positive responses outweighed negative responses by 6.3%, down from 6.4% in the third quarter of 2023.
Thirty-two percent of executives predict improvement in the next three to six months. Meanwhile, 58% expect gaming activity to remain at the same level. The nine out of ten results expecting the industry to improve or remain unchanged is also higher than the eight out of ten reported in the fall. Overall, 44% believe the current situation is good, while 50% say it is satisfactory.
Additionally, 42% of executives are more optimistic about the overall health of their balance sheets improving. However, 13% expect revenue growth to stagnate, while 22% expect new hiring to slow.
The ESA anticipates growth to slow further as financial conditions become “restrictive.”
Considering the anticipated economic deceleration in the United States for the year 2024, the American Gaming Association (AGA) also forecasts that elevated interest rates will persist in hindering expansion within the gaming sector.
Nevertheless, the AGA anticipates a robust job market to fuel a rise in discretionary income. Consequently, the AGA projects a more positive outlook compared to the previous six-month period.
Looking forward, 19% of executives cited restricted access to credit, a decrease from 26% in the preceding CEO survey. Over a quarter (28%) of executives also indicated that interest rate limitations on operations were a constraining factor, while 34% pointed to global political risks. Additionally, 34% of executives mentioned economic instability as a limiting factor.
Ultimately, the AGA stated that its Future Index reading of 102.2 reflects an upswing in gaming industry economic activity, taking into account potential inflation.
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