U.S. Casinos Post Best Year Ever

Commercial casino gaming revenue was up more 4 percent in 2018, topping $42 billion. A new report on the performance credits a host of factors—major new resort openings, more machine games, the rise of sports betting—for the increase.

U.S. commercial casinos booked nearly $42.7 billion in gaming revenue in 2018, a new record for the industry.

Spurred mainly by major openings in Massachusetts, New York and Atlantic City, revenue jumped 4 percent over 2017, according to “The Adams Revenue Report,” a performance review encompassing 23 commercial casino markets compiled by gaming analyst and consultant Ken Adams.

It was a “good year,” according to Adams, who also credited it to increases in machine gaming numbers and the nationwide introduction of sports betting.

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On This Day In Sports History

On May 25, 1935, Ohio State sophomore Jesse Owens delivered arguably the greatest 45 minutes in sports history at the Big Ten track meet in Ann Arbor. Owens broke three world records and tied a fourth, setting new marks in the long jump (26′81/4"), the 220-yard dash (20.3 seconds), and the 220-yard low hurdles (22.6 seconds), while equaling the 100-yard dash world record (9.4 seconds). Despite his individual brilliance, Michigan narrowly edged out Ohio State for the team title, 48 to 43.5.

On This Day In Sports History

On May 24, 1918, Cleveland outlasted the Yankees 3-2 in a 19-inning marathon at the Polo Grounds. Stan Coveleski pitched a remarkable complete-game victory, but the hero of the day was Joe Wood. Having converted from a pitcher to an outfielder after his arm "went dead," Wood launched a game-winning solo homer into the left-field bleachers—his second home run of the afternoon—to finally seal the win for Cleveland.