When discussing gambling in the US, one of the biggest states that comes to mind is, unsurprisingly, Nevada. However, data from the American Gaming Association has revealed that Pennsylvania comes in second in terms of gambling revenue at $5.9 billion, topping other states like New Jersey, New York, and Michigan.
In February, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) reported a gaming revenue spike in January. Across all forms of gaming, Pennsylvania's combined total revenue generated was $529,079,052. The PCGB's data oversees all aspects of gambling, including 17 land-based casinos, online casino games, retail and online sports betting, and video gaming terminals.
A closer look at the gaming revenue report saw online gaming (iGaming) revenue showing the highest increase in revenue at 40.52%, totaling $210,170,977 in January 2025 compared to 2024's $149,563,721. Other major forms of gaming and gambling recorded in the report included slot machines, retail table games, and sports wagering.
Online casino gaming has become increasingly popular in the state. As mentioned above, the state's iGaming revenue showed the highest growth compared to other forms of gambling. The state is currently in the process of finalizing its path to joining the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) in April 2025. This means that players in the Keystone State will be able to compete against opponents from other member states.
Still, the growth of online gaming in the state isn't without its challenges. A bill introduced in 2024 introduced a credit card ban for online gambling activities. The bill states that operators "may not accept a credit card as a form of payment" for activities such as sports betting, daily fantasy contests, iLottery, and online casino activities.
Fortunately, the growth of online platforms and providers continues to make online casino games accessible in the state. The leading online poker provider in the US, ACR Poker, makes games accessible to players in and out of state through huge tournament schedules and events, including satellite tourneys offering players a chance to compete in a high-stakes $1M GTD Main Event in Uruguay. ACR Poker also supports various payment options, which includes e-Wallets, cryptocurrencies, and person-to-person transfers to ensure gamers in Pennsylvania can still make withdrawals and deposits without relying on traditional credit cards.
Compared to the rapid growth of iGaming spending in the state, slot machine revenue recorded a 4.64% increase compared to numbers recorded in January 2024. At the same time, the PGCB report noted that the number of operating slot machines saw a decrease since the previous year.
In the past few years, Pennsylvania's courts and lawmakers have heavily debated the legality of game terminals. Currently, the Pennsylvania Lottery and the state's casino industry strongly oppose "skill games" and state they are losing revenue to them. Casinos pay a roughly 54% tax on slot machine revenue, while skill game machines that operate in a more "gray area" aren't taxed.
The American Gaming Association estimated that there were at least 67,000 skill game terminals in Pennsylvania — more than in any other state. The proliferation of these skill-based machines may be contributing to the decreased use and revenue of traditional slot machines. Since skill-based terminals aren't regulated by the state's gambling laws, they are also much more accessible through locations like convenience stores and bars, compared to slot machines that can only be found in casinos.
The 17 Pennsylvania casinos overseen by the PCGB also double as entertainment hubs. On top of facilitating betting, they are also used as concert and show venues, and offer various dining options for visitors. Additionally, Pennsylvania's casinos also range from typical hotel-resort facilities and standalones to racetrack casinos and mini-casinos, offering bettors flexibility.
In the new year, Pennsylvania casinos recorded a significant rebound against the decline recorded in 2024. The PCGB stated that the 17 physical casinos in the state won $261.5 million on their slots and table games, an almost 4% climb from January 2024.
Currently, Parx Casino both of Philadelphia in Bensalem continues to top the list of casinos in the state, with a gross gaming revenue of approximately $45.4 million. Parx is followed by Wind Creek Bethlehem in Eastern PA, at $40.7 million earned from in-person players.
Finally, while not recording significantly high spikes in revenue growth, sports betting has remained the most popular online gambling format in the state, according to the 2024 Pennsylvania Interactive Gaming Assessment. 7.9% of survey respondents reported participating in some form of online sports betting.
Based on the latest report from the PGCB, the state's sports betting revenue reached $873,149,858 in January 2025. The biggest factor for sports betting remaining dominant in the state is its accessibility. On top of online access, many of the 17 in-state casinos offer easy access to sports betting, such as the 45 sportsbook machines at Harrah's Philadelphia and the live races at the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.
Meanwhile, casinos like the Presque Isle Downs & Casino allow visitors to watch and bet on all the big game sports action being shown on big screen TVs at their TwinSpires Sportsbook. Like Harrah's, this includes the use of 50 self-serve sports betting kiosks offering different betting options. As you can see, sports betting holds a huge presence in the state's physical casinos, offering a change of pace from slot machines and table games.
Considering the constant growth of gaming revenue in the state, it's important to note that players and gamers in the state should still abide by state laws. Our previous post highlights the Pennsylvania Lottery's free resources for responsible gaming awareness. Online players also must be 18 or older to play the PA lottery, and located within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to play online games and win prizes.
