Most Popular Game Types and Bonuses Among US Legal Casino State Players

Gambling has been a popular pastime in the US since the 15th century when sailors on Columbus' ships participated in games of chance. Over time, more and more people have been joining in, which has led to the country being ranked as the one with the largest gambling market globally. By 2023, the market volume had reached USD 11.68 billion and was projected to grow at 12% CAGR until 2030.

Part of the many reasons for the growing popularity of gambling in the US is the legalization of the practice among most states. And for those wondering about the most popular games that US players engage in, this article is just right for you. What about the bonuses they receive? We will also explore some of the most common bonuses available to US players.

Slot Games

As we have already established, gambling covers a considerable part of the country's population – 40% of the country's adult population visits gambling locations at least once every year. The slots genre, for instance, welcomes over 68% of gamblers often, making it the most popular game type in the US. In Las Vegas alone, you'll find over 200,000 slot machines, which is almost a fifth of the more than 900,000 slots in the entire country.

Casino operators often incorporate captivating bonuses and codes like free spins in such games to retain and attract new players. These bonuses have a way of enhancing gameplay as they allow you to explore new games in a risk-free environment.

On top of engaging bonuses, slot games often come in multiple themes that are quite relatable. Whether it's ancient themes, horror themes, candy themes or whatever it may be, the slot genre diversifies to appeal to a broader variety of preferences. If you are thinking of a slot game to get started, you might want to explore Gonzo's Quest and Mega Moolah, among many others.

Blackjack

Besides slots, blackjack is also a popular casino game in the US. For instance, 45.53% of players aged between 18 and 29 participated in blackjack alongside other games, such as poker and roulette, in 2018. We can attribute the popularity of blackjack to several reasons, including the possibility of reducing the house edge to less than 1%. While it might be difficult to reduce the house edge in other table games unless you use the dice control for craps, it's much possible with blackjack – you can actually reduce it by a half or even lower, depending on the game rules.

The fast-paced nature of this game also makes it appealing. Each round comes and goes instantly, which eliminates the need of having to wait for the round to finish. Since your only opponent is the dealer, you don't have to wait for other players to place their cards. Plus, blackjack can be quite faster than other card games – a characteristic that favors fans who lack the patience needed for long, drawn-out casino games.  

Poker

A Gambling Industry News article revealed that there were 60 million online poker players in the United States. As if that is not enough, an event like the WSOP (World Series of Poker) Main Event welcomed over ten thousand players in 2023, which was a 14.5% increase from the previous year. Thanks to technological advancements, players can now easily access the game via their mobile phones on the go and laptops at home.

Plus, most states, including Nevada and New Jersey, have outrightly legalized online poker, encouraging participation. That, put together with the fact that most players participate via offshore sites, is a key pointer to growing popularity in the country. You cannot also ignore the influence of top celebrities such as Ben Affleck, Tobey Maguire and many others.

The Most Popular Bonuses

We have already mentioned that game operators use bonus offerings like free spins to draw new players and retain new ones. So, bonuses are not a new thing in this industry. In fact, since the mid-20th century, Las Vegas casinos have been using them to vie for the attention of players.  To further support the popularity of bonuses in the gambling industry, an ENV Media report revealed that 65% of gamblers received an incentive between 2022 and 2023.

Here is a list of other bonus offerings US players are likely to find:

• Welcome bonus: If you are signing up for a new online casino platform, you are likely to find this. Operators will often give you a percentage match of your initial deposit. For instance, if it is 100% up to $250, you will receive a $250 bonus upon depositing the initial $250.
• No deposit bonus: Here, you will not need to make a deposit before you can receive the incentive.
• Low wager bonus: It's a type of welcome bonus and will need you to wager the bonus amounts severally before you can withdraw.
• No wager bonus: For this kind of bonus, there will be no wagering requirements.

Without a shadow of a doubt, the US gambling industry will continue to grow. Especially now that more states are legalizing gambling, more players will join in. Plus, the US economy has not stopped witnessing tech advancements such as mobile gaming that will continue to make the activity more accessible.