The gaming revenue in Pennsylvania reached $483 million in October 2023, showing a 7.3% increase compared to the previous year. This figure includes revenue from the state’s 17 brick-and-mortar casinos, as well as from iGaming, sports betting, fantasy sports, and video gaming terminals (VGTs).
Wind Creek Bethlehem emerged as the top performer, winning $42.2 million on its brick-and-mortar casino floor. Despite Pennsylvania’s strong showing, the state still ranks behind Nevada and New Jersey in terms of gaming revenue. New Jersey’s casinos and sportsbooks reeled in approximately $487.1 million in October, while Nevada is yet to report its numbers.
The growth in Pennsylvania’s gaming revenue was primarily driven by iGaming and sports betting. Slot machines at the state’s 17 casinos recorded a 3.3% decline in revenue, while table games saw a 2% increase. However, the losses from in-person gaming were compensated by online activities. iGaming income from interactive slots surged by 27% to $109.8 million, and online table game revenue climbed by 19% to $42.6 million. Online poker rake added $2.3 million to the total internet GGR of approximately $154.7 million.
Additionally, oddsmakers in Pennsylvania saw record-breaking numbers, generating over $800 million in bets for the first time in state history. The sportsbook hold represented a 19% increase from the previous year, with a bulk of the win coming from online bets.
On another note, a bill to ban indoor casino smoking has advanced out of a House committee in Harrisburg. This marks the first time since the Pennsylvania Clean Indoor Air Act was passed in 2008 that legislation seeking to close the casino smoking loophole has progressed in the General Assembly committee. State Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) emphasized the need to protect casino workers from secondhand smoke and secured the support of his fellow House Health Committee Democrats. However, all 10 Republicans on the committee voted against forwarding the measure to the full House floor.
Despite the smoking allowance, Parx Casino in Bensalem stands out for its decision not to allow smoking anywhere inside the property. It continues to lead Pennsylvania’s brick-and-mortar casino industry, with the highest slot and table game revenue in the state.
