Pennsylvania Shatters Gambling Revenue Records in May with $601.8 Million
Pennsylvania’s gambling industry achieved a historic milestone in May, recording a total revenue of $601.8 million — the highest monthly figure the state has ever seen. This remarkable growth was fueled by strong performances across online gaming and sports betting sectors, reflecting a vibrant and expanding market. Pennsylvania Gambling Revenue May
The May total surpassed the previous record of $574.5 million set in March by nearly 5%, marking a clear upward trend. Compared to May 2024, the revenue jumped by 15.5%, and it also increased by 7.7% compared to April this year. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s latest data highlights the diverse nature of the state’s gambling economy, with digital platforms and sports betting leading the charge while retail slots continue to contribute significantly.
Online gaming, which includes slots, table games, and poker, accounted for a substantial $232.9 million in revenue for May — representing a 33.8% increase from the same month last year. Online slots were the major driver, generating $177.2 million, followed by internet table games at $52.9 million, and poker at $2.8 million. Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course and its online partners maintained their dominance, collectively earning over $90.1 million, which was an increase of 38.4%. Valley Forge Casino Resort secured second place with $64.1 million, marking a 44.4% rise, while Rivers Casino Philadelphia claimed third with $36.9 million, reflecting an 18% growth compared to the previous year.
Sports betting also experienced impressive growth, bringing in $59.4 million in revenue — a 34.4% increase from May 2024. The majority of this figure came from online wagers, totaling $56.4 million, with retail sportsbooks contributing an additional $3 million. The total handle for the month reached $655.4 million, representing a 10.7% rise from the previous year. Online betting alone accounted for $625 million of this total, with retail wagers making up the remaining $30.4 million.
The state-wide betting hold stood at 9.06%, indicating a healthy profit margin for operators. FanDuel, partnered with Valley Forge Casino Resort, remained the leading operator, earning $28.4 million from a handle of $252.8 million, with an 11.23% hold. DraftKings, in partnership with Hollywood Casino at the Meadows, followed with $15.7 million from $168.9 million wagered, holding at 9.3%. Other notable operators included Fanatics at Hollywood Casino York and ESPN Bet at Hollywood Casino at Penn National, both posting solid numbers.
Read also: VIP Play Welcomes Industry Veteran Les Ottolenghi as New CEO
In contrast to the growth seen in digital sectors, land-based gambling presented a mixed picture. Revenue from retail slots increased by 5%, reaching $224.9 million, demonstrating resilience in physical gaming venues. However, revenue from land-based table games declined by 4.6% to $79.9 million, and video gaming terminals at truck stops saw a slight decrease to $3.7 million. Fantasy sports revenue also dipped by 5.4%, bringing in $1.1 million. These fluctuations highlight the ongoing transition within the industry, with digital offerings continuing to expand while some traditional land-based segments face challenges.
All these gambling activities contributed significantly to the state’s coffers. In May, Pennsylvania collected a total of $255.1 million in tax revenue from gambling, including $104.6 million from iGaming, $21.4 million from sports betting, $113.7 million from slots, and $13.4 million from table games. These figures underscore the industry’s vital role in supporting public funds and economic growth.
As Pennsylvania’s gambling landscape evolves, digital platforms appear to be leading the way, complemented by a steady, though more modest, contribution from land-based venues. The industry’s resilience and adaptability continue to shape the state’s economic landscape in positive ways.
