Pennsylvania's Gambling Income Surpasses $600 Million in May 2025
Winning Streak for Pennsylvania's Gaming Industry
Pennsylvania's gambling industry has hit an all-time high, earning a whopping $601.8 million in a single month for the first time ever. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) revealed this staggering figure, showcasing a 15.5% jump from the same period last year.
Soaring to New Heights: The Digital Revolution
This extraordinary number is predominantly thanks to a boom in online gaming and sports betting. Digital casino games alone accounted for over $232.8 million, marking a 33.8% rise from May 2024. Front-runners in the digital gaming scene were Hollywood Casino at Penn National and Valley Forge Casino Resort, contributing a combined $154.2 million to the total iGaming revenue.
Sports betting also experienced massive growth. The total betting handle hit an impressive $655.3 million in May, with taxable revenue from sportsbooks growing 34.4% year-over-year to $59.4 million. Once again, Valley Forge led the pack with $28.4 million in revenue, closely followed by Hollywood Casino at the Meadows with $15.7 million.
At physical casinos, the picture was more nuanced. Slot machines continued to pull in the dough, earning $224.9 million, a 5% increase compared to last year. Parx Casino led the charge in slot machine earnings, taking home $34.5 million, a 5.8% rise from the prior year.
However, table games took a hit, dropping by 4.6% to $79.9 million. Although most locations saw a decline, exceptions included Mount Airy Casino Resort and Rivers Casino Philadelphia, which saw their table game earnings increase.
Hollywood and Valley Forge: The Powerhouses of the Industry
Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) at qualified truck stops demonstrated steady performance, generating revenue almost identical to the previous year at $3.68 million. In contrast, fantasy sports contests saw a slight dip in revenue to $1.09 million.
Individual operators reported significant year-over-year revenue growth. Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course and Valley Forge Casino Resort both saw increases of 31.2% and 33% respectively, collectively generating over $213 million in combined revenue.
Contributions to the state in the form of tax payments reached over $255 million in May, as the PGCB regulates activities at 17 brick-and-mortar casinos, internet gambling, sports wagering, VGTs, and fantasy competitions.
As online platforms drive growth in the gaming industry, it seems likely that Pennsylvania's gambling scene will continue its upward trajectory throughout 2025 and beyond.
The digital revolution in Pennsylvania's gaming industry has seen a significant rise in sports betting and fantasy sports, with sportsbooks generating $59.4 million and fantasy sports contests bringing in $1.09 million. Meanwhile, Hollywood Casino and Valley Forge Casino Resort, industry powerhouses, combined for over $213 million in revenue, a 31.2% and 33% increase respectively.
