In October, Pennsylvania’s online casino operators reached new heights with record revenues totaling $251.1 million, while sports betting revenue in the state soared by 121.7% compared to the same period last year as the betting handle also hit an unprecedented peak. This development highlights the pivotal role of online gaming in Pennsylvania’s commercial gambling landscape, marking a milestone in the state’s iGaming sector.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) reported that the total gross gaming revenue across all forms of commercial gambling in the state climbed to $597 million for October. This figure not only surpasses the total from October of the previous year by a substantial 20.2% but also marks an 11.4% increase from September’s revenue.
While the record-breaking revenue from iGaming was a standout feature of the month, the significant improvement in sports betting revenue also drew attention. The previous month had been disappointing for sports betting, with revenues plummeting to a six-month low. This turnaround points to a strong recovery, driven by increased consumer engagement and strategic market expansions.
Focusing on the online casino sector, revenue soared by 32.8% compared to last year, setting a new state record by surpassing the prior high of $238.2 million recorded in March 2025 by 5.4%. This growth was primarily fueled by online slots, which generated $190.8 million, reflecting a 35.5% increase from the previous year. Additionally, internet table games brought in $57.7 million, a rise of 25.7%, while online poker revenue grew by 13.6% to reach $2.5 million.
Leading the charge and benefiting significantly from this surge, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, along with its online gaming partners, retained their market-leading position. Their collective revenue for the month was $98.7 million, marking a 42.2% increase from the previous year. Valley Forge Casino Resort and its partners held onto second place with $71.4 million, up 37.5% from October 2024, while Rivers Casino Philadelphia secured the third spot with $38.2 million, an increase of 15%.
Pennsylvania was not alone in witnessing such record-breaking revenues in the online sector during October. New Jersey and Michigan also reported unprecedented highs, signaling a broader trend of growth in the igaming industry across various states.
In terms of sports betting, revenue more than doubled year-on-year, reaching $60.7 million in October. This included $56.2 million from online betting platforms and an additional $4.5 million from physical sportsbooks throughout the state. The record-breaking player expenditure, which hit a new high of $968.5 million, was a significant contributor to this success. This exceeded the previous highest handle of $935.5 million set in November 2024 and was 9% higher than October of the prior year. In October alone, $926.1 million was wagered online, while retail locations accounted for $42.4 million.
The state’s hold rate for the month stood at 6.27%. Among the operators, DraftKings and Hollywood Casino at the Meadows emerged as leaders by generating $21.8 million from a $300.1 million handle, achieving a hold of 7.26%. Typically leading the market, FanDuel and Valley Forge Casino Resort slipped to second place with $18.2 million in revenue from $357.6 million in bets, resulting in a 5.09% hold. In third place, BetMGM and Hollywood Casino Morgantown posted $4 million from a $59.6 million handle, with a hold rate of 6.71%.
Despite the rapid expansion and success of the iGaming market, land-based slot machines continued to be a crucial revenue source for Pennsylvania. In October, revenue from this sector increased modestly by 1.4% year-on-year, amounting to $203.5 million. Retail table games also saw a slight increase, rising 3% to $76.1 million, while revenue from video gaming terminals experienced a minor decline of 1% to $3.5 million. The PGCB also recorded a 1.1% decrease in sports fantasy contest revenue, which stood at $2.1 million.
From a fiscal standpoint, the state and local governments collected $252.3 million in taxes during October. A breakdown of these contributions shows online casinos accounted for $112.7 million, sports betting brought in $21.8 million, land-based slots contributed $102.8 million, and retail table games offered $12.8 million.
These numbers underscore the resilience and adaptability of Pennsylvania’s gambling industry in the face of evolving market dynamics. Yet, some voices caution against over-reliance on the current growth trends, suggesting that the market might eventually reach a saturation point. Nevertheless, the continued interest and investment in the sector indicate a robust outlook for the state’s gambling industry, albeit with a mindful eye on potential future adjustments.
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