Despite regulatory woes in the U.S., the number of fantasy sports players in North America has grown 3.3 percent this year.

Fantasy Sports Trade Association (FSTA) reported on Tuesday that the fantasy sports industry remains to thrive in North America, posting a record of 59.3 million players this year compared to last year’s 57.4 million.

The figure, according to the fantasy sports group, is also more than double than the number of players in 2009, which is only 28.4 million.

FSTA pointed out that the data is now reflecting that fantasy sports in North America has become a US$7.22 billion industry. That includes spending more than $1 billion on such “ancillary” activities and goods as draft parties, food and drink and fantasy-related memorabilia.