Pennsylvania reported a year-on-year and month-on-month increase in gambling revenue in August, driven by a near-record performance from the state’s igaming market.
Total gambling revenue in Pennsylvania in August hit $525.5m (£397.1m/€472.1m). This is 14.9% ahead of last year and 4.9% more than July’s total for this year.
Ongoing igaming growth in Pennsylvania
The stand-out figure in August was igaming revenue, which amounted to $183.7m. Not only is this 29% more than last year but also the second-highest monthly total on record, just short of March 2024’s $191.1m haul.
Breaking this down, online slots generated $138.3m of all igaming revenue in August. Table games drew $43.2m, with poker revenue topping $2.2m for the month.
As has been the case for some time, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course is still the market leader here. For August, it posted $72.1m in online casino revenue. Valley Forge Casino Resort remains second with $46.0m, then Rivers Casino Philadelphia on $30.8m.
Sports betting revenue up to $45.4m in August
Turning to sports betting, gross revenue hit $45.4m, up 48.4% from last year but 13.9% less than July. After promotional credits, taxable revenue was $30.0m for the month.
Online betting generated $25.5m in gross revenue, with retail’s share at $4.5m.
As for handle, total spend on sports betting in Pennsylvania during August was $485.3m. This is 23.5% ahead of last year, with online handle at $457.6m and retail $27.7m.
This meant an overall market hold of 9.4% for the month. Online hold was 9.0% and retail 16.2%.
Operator-wise, FanDuel, partnered with Valley Forge Casino Resort in Pennsylvania, is still the frontrunner. For August, it posted $13.3m in gross revenue from $176.5m in bets, meaning a 10.4% hold
DraftKings, and partner Hollywood Casino at the Meadows, were again second. Gross revenue from the partnership hit $7.8m off a $124.4m handle, resulting in a 9.1% monthly hold.
What happened elsewhere in Pennsylvania?
As for other market sectors, land-based slots remain the main source of gambling revenue in Pennsylvania. The $211.1m generated in August is 3.9% more than last year. Physical table games, however, saw revenue slip 2.1% to $81.0m.
Video gaming terminal revenue edged up 5.7% to $3.7m, while fantasy sports fell 18.3% to $647,522.