Pennsylvania’s gambling landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with online gaming now surpassing traditional slot machines as the state’s leading revenue generator. This shift marks a new era for the Keystone State’s gaming industry, contributing to record-breaking overall revenue.
Online Gaming Takes the Lead
For the first time, online gaming has become Pennsylvania’s primary source of gambling revenue, bringing in $2.48 billion. This figure narrowly edges out slot machine revenue, which generated approximately $2.44 billion. This milestone signifies a major change in player preferences and the accessibility of digital gambling platforms since online casinos were legalized in the state in 2019.
Record-Breaking Revenue Year
Pennsylvania’s gambling industry has achieved a new record, generating $6.4 billion in revenue since July 2024. This amount surpasses the previous year’s record by over $500 million. The total revenue encompasses income from slot machines, table games, sports betting, fantasy sports, online gambling, and video gaming terminals.
Tax Revenue Allocation
The state has collected nearly $2.8 billion in gambling tax revenue for the fiscal year ending June 2025. These funds are crucial for various state initiatives, including economic development, property tax reduction for homeowners, and support for the horse racing industry.
Regulatory Actions and Fines
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has been active in enforcing regulations. Two companies were fined a total of $70,000: Betfair Interactive (Fanduel) received a $40,000 fine for licensing violations concerning employees who accessed account information. Sugarhouse HSP Gaming LP, operator of Rivers Philadelphia Casino, was fined $30,000 for allowing underage individuals to gamble on its premises.
Exclusion List Expands
In addition to fines, the board has placed seven individuals on its involuntary exclusion lists, banning them from all forms of regulated gaming in Pennsylvania. These actions include individuals involved in online gaming fraud and a patron who left minors unattended in a hotel room for an extended period to gamble. The board has also launched a "Don’t Gamble with Kids" awareness campaign to address the issue of unattended children at casino properties.
Sources
- Pennsylvania breaks record for yearly gambling revenue, Erie Times-News.
- PA Gaming Control Board Levies Two Fines Totaling $70,000, PennWatch.
- Pa. Gaming Control Board bans individuals from casinos, fines 2 companies, PennLive.com.
- Online gaming overtakes slots as state’s primary gambling moneymaker — CDC Gaming, CDC Gaming.
- Hasbro (HAS) earnings Q2 2025, CNBC.
