USA casino games provide a wealth of opportunities for players residing in (or visiting) North America. This article will examine the most popular American forms of gambling, as well as how they stack up in other parts of the world.

Most Popular US Casino Games

A 2025 poll tried to determine which types of casino games were most appealing to customers. The first number indicates the response of all casino patrons, while the number after the slash indicates the preference of young adults.

The largest disparity between young adults and other patrons came with slots and video poker. While it was easily the top response for all groups, young adults were slightly less enamored with the flashing lights and steep house edge. Most of this difference was made up with blackjack and craps, as younger players showed a greater affinity for these games than their older counterparts.

American Games vs the World

Now let’s take a look at some of the casino games offered in the United States and compare them to other parts of the world.

Slot Machines – Thanks to their simple rules and the constant allure of easy money, slot machines reign supreme in most parts of the world. In the United States, there are more than 850,000 slots in commercial and tribal casinos, with Nevada, California, and Oklahoma having the highest totals.

Roulette – Created in France in the 18th century, roulette remains dear to the hearts and wallets of European players. While American casinos eventually tacked on an extra zero, the game rooms of Europe still offer the more customer-friendly French wheel.  Don’t call yourself a serious fan of this game until you’ve played it on the European continent.

Craps – This dice game can trace its origins to Europe, but it enjoys much greater popularity within its adopted country of the United States. Perhaps this is because of the rowdy communal aspect of the game, something which may not be as appealing in other parts of the world.

Blackjack – Also known as 21, this card game is popular around the globe, but it seems cursed to always play second (or third) fiddle to some other form of gambling.

Baccarat – Offered in the VIP section of many American casinos, the origin of baccarat stretches back to France by way of Italy. The original version is known as Chemin de fer, and it still enjoys a great amount of popularity in France. In recent years, however, baccarat has nudged past blackjack as one of the biggest games in Las Vegas casinos. This is primarily due to high rollers (often from Asia) who come to the baccarat tables and wager $100,000 or more each hand.

Pai Gow – In China, this game dates all the way back to the 1st century. While it has migrated to casinos throughout the U.S., Canada, and Australia, it should come as no surprise that it’s still most popular in its native land.

Poker – While poker still lags behind slots, blackjack, and roulette in the United States, it has enjoyed a massive surge of popularity following the World Series of Poker wins by Chris Moneymaker and Greg Raymer. This sparked interest around the globe, including the creation of the European Poker Tour, Asia Pacific Poker Tour, and Latin American Poker Tour. In 2009, a global governing body named the International Federation of Poker was created and based in Switzerland.

Commercial Casino Spending

In 2003, the United States was mired in an economic slump, and the total revenue from commercial casinos was $28.72 billion. This figure climbed each year, culminating in a 2007 total of $37.52 billion. The number dropped for two consecutive years after that, but has since enjoyed a slow climb thanks to an improved economy and casinos being added to larger markets such as New York City. In 2025, the total was back to an impressive $37.34 billion, which was just shy of the 2007 zenith.

Popular Forms of Gambling in America

A 2025 survey was conducted on behalf of the American Gaming Association to determine the most popular forms of gambling among U.S. residents. Each respondent was asked to identify the types of gambling they participated in, and these were the results:

  • Lottery – 53%
  • Casino Gambling – 32%
  • Casual Betting – 26% (includes betting on a game of golf, playing fantasy football, etc.)
  • Poker – 12%
  • Betting on a Race – 6%
  • Internet Gambling – 3%

While USA casino games come in a variety of forms, slot machines still reign supreme. The same is true in most parts of the world, as there are few rules to learn, and every press of the spin button could lead to life-changing riches.