Pennsylvania Gaming Revenue Climbs Again as Online Play Drives Growth

Pennsylvania’s gambling industry retained its considerable momentum in September 2025. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) reported total revenue of $535.8 million across all verticals, including casino gaming, sports betting, fantasy contests, and video gaming terminals. With a 5.9% increase from September 2024’s $505.9 million, Pennsylvania remains one of the US’s most robust gambling jurisdictions.

Slots Remain a Key Revenue Driver

Despite the solid year-on-year growth, September’s revenue figures represented a modest 8% dip from August’s record-setting $582.3 million. This figure is not unexpected, as it reflects the typical post-summer slowdown that follows peak tourist and sports activity. The PGCB is confident that long-term trends remain positive, as steady growth in online gambling more than compensated for slight declines in in-person casino wagering.

Retail slot machines generated a total of $193.9 million, representing a 1.5% decline from the previous year. Furthermore, the number of working slot machines also decreased slightly, from 24,558 to 24,331. Even so, slots remained the leading single most significant contributor to gaming revenue, producing nearly $97 million in taxes for state and local programs.

Table games also maintained stability, generating $73.4 million, which is practically the same as in September 2024. Video gaming terminals (VGTs), available at 74 legal truck stops, contributed $3.34 million in adjusted revenue, a negligible decrease compared to the previous year. Fantasy contests, meanwhile, recorded $1.96 million, surging 5.4% from 2024 and demonstrating consistent engagement.

The Online Segment Retained Impressive Momentum

Online gaming remained a standout performer, growing more than 32% year-over-year to $233.4 million. The state received over $106 million in taxes from iGaming alone, a figure that would have rivaled Pennsylvania’s entire gaming market a decade ago. Regulators drew attention to the growing number of casino apps and the gradual shift in player behavior toward mobile and internet platforms as the primary factors behind this continued growth.

Sports betting also surged in September, recording an overall handle of $850.5 million, nearly a 5% increase from September 2024. However, taxable revenue from sports wagering fell drastically, down 44% to $29.7 million, due to lower hold percentages and higher promotional spending by operators in anticipation of the NFL season. Tax revenue from sports betting amounted to $10.7 million for the month.

In total, the state collected $227.9 million in taxes across all forms of gaming in September, underscoring that the sector remains a vital contributor to Pennsylvania’s budget. However, regulated gambling in the state faces emerging challenges. PGCB executive director Kevin F. O’Toole recently cautioned lawmakers about the emergence of sports prediction markets, describing them as a substantial threat to the state’s regulatory ecosystem.