Report: Casinos Generated $125 Billion in Spending in 2010 | Gaming News

A new report released by The American Gaming Association shows the economic activity supported by the casino industry is about 1 percent of the total U.S. gross domestic product.

The trade group's study released Monday counts direct casino industry spending, but also tallies the indirect spending that comes from industries supported by casinos and activities induced by casinos.

The report shows 566 casinos in 22 states supported about $125 billion in spending and nearly 820,000 jobs in the U.S. in 2010. Direct consumer casino spending accounts for almost $50 billion of that sum, while indirect spending generates $76 billion.

Report researcher Coleman Bazelon says the data show casinos create a ripple effect throughout the nation's economy. The study was prepared by the economics consulting firm The Brattle Group.

(Copyright 2012 Associated Press)