Inside the Archive of Vintage Blues and Gospel Records

The $100 Billion Record Nobody Has Heard Yet

Only about 12% of US adults can legally gamble on real-money online casinos, according to Eilers & Krejcik Gaming. The same firm estimates the iGaming market size and forecast for the total addressable market at roughly $100 billion in annual revenue. For collectors of vintage blues and gospel, this feels familiar—vast archives of 78-rpm records remain unheard, undocumented, and locked away from the public. The iGaming industry today mirrors that early recording era: huge potential, limited access, and a race to capture value before the window closes.

Why Do Online Casinos Matter More Than Sportsbooks?

Digital slots and table games generate around three times the net revenue of sportsbooks. That ratio makes online casino legalization a high-stakes legislative priority for state governments watching neighbors collect tax dollars. The gross gaming revenue (GGR) from iGaming already dwarfs sports betting in active states. States that already allow sports betting are now weighing whether to open the full casino experience to their residents.

Newer game formats have also gained a following beyond traditional slots. Crash games, where a player bets on a rising multiplier that can collapse without warning, have become especially popular. One example is Tower Rush, a crash title from provider Galaxsys that fits the fast-paced style many players now seek. As state markets expand, operators are expected to offer broader libraries of such games.

The revenue difference is hard to ignore. According to the American Gaming Association (AGA), combined U.S. online gambling market revenue from iGaming and sports betting hit record figures in 2024. Operators like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM now push sports betting and online casino cross-sell strategies to maximize player value. Mobile casino gambling apps account for the vast majority of wagers placed in legal states.

Why Are Only 12% of Adults In?

Currently, just six states operate legal online casino states—New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut, and Delaware. The remaining 88% of adults are locked out, either because their state has not passed a law or because no operators have launched. That gap represents tens of billions in untapped tax revenue. The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) reported monthly GGR above $200 million for the state's iGaming market alone in late 2024. Lawmakers in states like New York, Illinois, and Maryland are watching closely.

The collapse of sweepstakes vs real money online casinos operations, which have operated in a gray regulatory zone, is expected to accelerate the push. State legislatures will draft bills to regulate and tax online gaming, each trying to be among the first to claim a piece of the market. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) sets a regulatory standard that other states often study when drafting their own state iGaming regulations and taxes. The process is likely to move quickly once the first domino falls.

What Should Collectors Watch For?

For those who treasure music history, the same forces apply. Here are three things to keep an eye on as iGaming expands:

The comparison between a $100 billion gaming market and a crate of unplayed 78s may seem unusual, but the underlying dynamic is the same. A small fraction of what is possible has been discovered. The rest waits for the right door to open.

Will the Rush Leave Anything Behind?