A comprehensive new report from the American Gaming Association (ASA) has found that commercial casinos are a "significant and vital" part of the US economy.

According to the research, the sector was roughly equivalent to 1 per cent of the US$14.5tn (£9.1tn, €10.9tn) gross domestic product in 2010 and supported nearly 825,000 jobs.

Beyond the Casino Floor: Economic Impacts of the Commercial Casino Industry also found the sector was worth around US$125bn (£78.8bn, €94.2bn) in spending.

Of that spending, commercial casinos directly generated US$49.7bn (£31.3bn, €37.5bn) and supports the remainder through spending with suppliers and other businesses.

AGA president and chief executive officer Frank J Fahrenkopf said: "There is no doubt the commercial casino industry is a significant and vital part of our nation's economy.

"The industry generates and supports economic activity that stretches far beyond the communities that host casinos and into the greater American economy."

Details: www.americangaming.org