Pennsylvania is a key player in the gaming industry. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) recently reported that combined revenue from all forms of gaming and fantasy contests during May surpassed $600 million for the first time. What contributed to the record-breaking month was an increase in online gaming revenue and large revenue increases generated by two operators.
The years between 2022 and 2024 saw continuous expansion with gaming technology innovations and more acceptance of online gambling. The annual gaming revenue climbed steadily in these years, contributing to more tax revenue. Pennsylvania has managed to successfully balance its brick-and-mortar casino operations with its innovative digital platforms.
The state’s top revenue generators
Hollywood Casino at Penn National generated over $107 million. This was an almost 32% increase from May 2024. Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia generated over $105.5 million, a nearly 33% increase over what it brought in during May 2024.
Parx Casino in Bensalem reported just over $59 million, which was a more than 4% increase year-over-year. Parx also has an online casino for Pennsylvania players. Rivers Casino in Philadelphia rounded out the top revenue generators in the state with over $58 million, a 14.5% increase year-over-year.
Slot revenue
Online casino games saw an increase of about 34% from the previous year. Retail slot machines also contributed significantly, with slot revenue reaching $224.8 million. Parx Casino led all operators in slot revenue. It generated $34.5 million, a boost of nearly 6%. Wild Creek Bethlehem’s total was up by 16% from the previous year. Rivers Casino Pittsburgh reached $23.5 million, a 0.7% increase from May 2024.
iGaming revenue
The PGCB reported that online casino gaming (iGaming) in Pennsylvania reached nearly $233 million. This represented 38.7% of total revenue with a remarkable 33.8% year-over-year growth. The fact that combined online gaming contributes nearly 49% to Pennsylvania’s total gaming revenue shows the shift toward online platforms.
Hollywood Casino at Penn National saw an increase of 38.4% to just over $90 million. Online gambling revenue of just over $64 million was posted by Valley Forge Casino Resort. Rivers Casino in Philadelphia generated nearly $37 million, which was up 18% year-over-year.
The use of AI bots in online gambling allows for personalized game recommendations and other innovations that drive customer acquisition and retention. These bots can also offer real-time odds adjustments and smarter customer support. Casinos also use AI to flag potential problem players and enhance player safety.
Sports wagering
Both retail and online sports wagering saw growth. Sports wagering in Pennsylvania generated $59.4 million from a handle of just over $655 million. Valley Forge Casino Resort generated more than $28 million from a handle of nearly $253 million. Hollywood Casino at the Meadows generated revenue of nearly $16 million from a handle of nearly $169 million. Hollywood Casino York generated nearly $3 million with a handle of just over $42 million.
Economic impact and future
The record revenue in May 2025 generated tax revenue of $255 million. This underlines the industry’s role in contributing to state coffers. With 17 land-based casinos and booming online casinos, there’s likely to be further growth and innovation. The economic forecast this year looks bright for casinos in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania is now a member of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) and was the sixth state to join. This connects it with other states that allow online poker. Players in Pennsylvania can now compete with players in these other states. This means online poker will get bigger and better due to a much larger pool of players. Pennsylvania could now reclaim the top spot it held in online poker in 2022 and early 2023.
The expansion of gaming has been responsible and balanced, with the PGCB offering effective regulation and oversight. The robust performance in May shows that the gambling industry in Pennsylvania is resilient and adaptable.