Today, land-based gambling in the form of casinos is allowed in 24 states in the US. While online sports gambling is allowed in over 30 states, online casinos are only permitted in six.
One of the states where these overlap, of course, is Pennsylvania, which remains the second biggest gambling state following Nevada. Factors such as the search volume of gambling or casino-related items, the number of casinos per state, and the estimated spending on gambling help determine these scores.
With only 17 casinos in the State, Pennsylvania actually scores higher in casino and gambling-related searches at 77,060 than Nevada (62,200), which lists 229 casinos in the state. Of course, it's important to note that Nevada placed first with a total index score of 94.93 out of 100, and Pennsylvania, in second place, scored 31.25 in comparison. Similarly, Nevada's spending (on gambling) per capita at $6,188.66 seems miles ahead of Pennsylvania's $567.54. Despite the large gap, the numbers indicate that the state's gambling industry remains significant for revenue generation. Pennsylvania is continuing to focus on expanding its casino and gambling offerings to cater to different users.
As mentioned above, Pennsylvania's gambling industry plays a significant role in revenue generation. In 2022, the state's gambling market, including fantasy contests, reached a gambling revenue of $425.4 million — a 4.24% increase from the previous year. According to findings from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, these numbers are a combination of different casino and gambling opportunities. Slot machine revenue totaled $201.2 million, with over 25,500 slot machines in operation statewide. Meanwhile, table game revenue totaled $78.45 million, and online casino games saw a 21% increase, reporting $107.1 million, compared to $88.7 million in August 2021.
At the same time, despite constant revenue growth, it's also important to note how Pennsylvania's gambling industry's growth impacts the state's inhabitants. In a previous post, we highlighted how gambling habits — whether horse racing, casinos, or sports — may lead to Pennsylvanians becoming less credit-worthy. Earlier in August, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control said revenue from all forms of gaming and fantasy contests grew by 7.22% to $550.8 million. Establishments like Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, Valley Forge Casino Resort, and Parx Casino had the highest revenues in the state, while Bally's Pennsylvania had the biggest growth in year-over-year revenue. Still, these points of growth also indicate a decrease in the state's average credit score.
Still, it isn't all bleak. Despite the reduced average credit score, there’s also decreases in credit card delinquencies. This may be because financial institutions choose to reduce risk exposure in states with legal mobile sports gambling, implementing measures such as restricting access to credit in the form of lower credit limits. As the gambling industry continues to expand in Pennsylvania and around the world, legislators feel the pressure to introduce newer forms of betting beyond casino gambling.
Earlier this year, in May, Evolution Gaming officially launched its innovative Video Poker game in the US by introducing it to players in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The game pays homage to earlier video poker gaming terminals, which have enjoyed increased popularity since the 1980s. Evolution Gaming also released First Person Video Poker, offering a "familiar appeal for older players and a fresh Poker experience for new generations." Previously, Evolution's video poker has been present in Europe and other regions, and the company aims to increase efforts for expansion in the US by attracting new players.
Today, video poker remains a popular pastime and casino game. The betting platform Thunderpick offers a variety of video poker games for players who prefer to bet and play from the comfort of their homes. Among games like Platipus' Aces and Faces or Nucleus' Deuces Wild, Thunderpick also offers Evolution's two Video Poker games — Live and First Person. The platform also allows players to join games by betting cryptocurrencies, offering a unique and secure betting experience that isn't subject to government regulation or traditional banking systems. Players can choose from popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum to other memecoins like Dogecoin for a lower minimum deposit amount.
Of course, video poker isn't Evolution's only strategy for its ongoing expansion in the US. Recently, the company also launched its live game show offering, Crazy Time, to online players in Michigan. Like its Video Poker offerings, this marks the game's entry into the US market following its successful rollout in New Jersey in December 2023, and subsequent launches in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Delaware in 2024. Streamed live, Crazy Time combines innovative gameplay with cutting-edge technology, putting players in a high-stakes and immersive game show experience. Crazy Time combines the use of random number generator (RNG) multipliers, augmented reality features, and elements inspired by slots and video games. The game also offers four Bonus games, including the Japanese arcade gambling game Pachinko, Coin Flip, and Cash Hunt, each introducing unique interactive experiences.
Evolution's Crazy Time is only one of a slew of live game show gambling opportunities that have become increasingly popular in recent years. This new genre has become highly sought-after as it adds a sense of immersion to online gambling with the presence of a live dealer and presenter. For players and bettors who may want a break from traditional table casino games like Blackjack or Baccarat, live game shows offer an adrenaline-pumping alternative through unpredictable wins and twists and turns. Aside from Evolution's Crazy Time, many live game show gambling games are also themed after familiar or classic titles such as Monopoly Live or the Alice in Wonderland-inspired Adventures Beyond Wonderland.
While there's no telling where the future of gambling in Pennsylvania will take us, continuous developments in the market as well as expansions from major players in the industry are sure to keep players coming — whether experienced veterans or thrill-seeking newcomers.
