iGaming in Pennsylvania Stays Strong Even as Live Casinos Reopen

After COVID-19 hit the world, many people were forced to stay at home. For gamblers, that meant that the only way through which they can enjoy casino games is via online casinos. But, since casinos opened back in this state, the numbers show that many players have decided to stick with online gambling, rather than visiting brick-and-mortar casinos, which means that a switch in the industry might be on the way.

As Deutsche Bank indicates, the gross gaming revenue (GGR) of the 12 casinos in Pennsylvania had several ups and downs in March, April and May. In March, the GGR recorded a 12% drop, then in April, it was up by 1%, and finally, it recorded another 3% drop in May.

Moreover, if the two new casinos that opened their doors in 2019 are excluded from the equation, and if the GGR from the original 12 casinos in 2019 and 2021 are compared by their monthly peaks, it can be seen that, in 2021, March’s GGR had a 22% drop, April’s GGR had a 10% drop and May’s GGR had a 12% drop.

What’s even more interesting about gambling is that the industry in Pennsylvania is actually on the rise, thanks to online casinos.

Online Casinos Had a Massive Impact In the Past One Year

Since most of the people in Pennsylvania were forced to stay home during the pandemic, casino fans started accessing online casinos to enjoy their favorite games. Carlo Santarelli of Deutsche Bank stated that online casinos offer far more than just the strategic advantage, which is the players being able to access them at any time and place.

He elaborated that the iGaming industry is worth the play as it has tons of other advantages and Pennsylvanians have acknowledged that fact. That is why so many online casinos started operating in the state. Even Betway breached the market and it offers residents various sportsbook and gambling services.

The Future of Gambling in Pennsylvania

According to Santarelli, the fact that brick-and-mortar casinos have experienced a massive drop in popularity and, thus, allowed online casinos to rise in Pennsylvania, might be a step forward and may motivate other states in the US to legalize online gambling.

At the moment, online gambling is legal in Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Connecticut is also on the waiting list as it awaits federal confirmation. There’s no denying the fact that online casinos have recorded a massive rise in popularity in the past couple of years.

During the pandemic, many businesses in Pennsylvania, the US, and around the world suffered, but the iGaming industry managed to flourish and record records in revenue.