SPORTS BETTING GROWTH DRIVES PA GAMBLING REVENUE UP 7.9%

Gambling revenue in Pennsylvania increased by 7.9% year-on-year in September following a 77.7% jump in sports betting revenue. Total gambling revenue for the month amounted to $448.5m (£399.5m/€459.1m), which was ahead of $415.7m in September 2021 and also 5.4% higher than $425.4m in August of this year. Retail slots remained by far the main source of revenue for operators in Pennsylvania during September, though revenue from this area of the market fell 0.2% to $198.5m. Retail table games revenue was also down 2.9% to $81.6m.

However, these declines were more than offset by growth in almost all other sections of the state’s market, including sports betting where revenue rocketed from $28.3m in 2021 to $50.2m this year. Of this total, $43.0m came from online wagering, with the remaining $7.3m generated at retail sportsbooks. Sports betting handle was also up 11.5% year-on-year to $645.2m.

Valley Forge Casino Resort and FanDuel moved into first place in the sports betting market in September, posting $22.7m in revenue from $213.0m in bets. Hollywood Casino at the Meadows and Barstool were second with $11.3m in revenue from a $207.5m handle, then Hollywood Casino at Penn National, a DraftKings partner, with $3.1m in revenue from $41.1m in wagers.

Elsewhere, internet casino-type games revenue reached $112.7m, up 15.2% from $97.8m last year. In this area, online slots revenue increased 13.6% to $77.9m and igaming table games revenue 22.2% to $32.2m, though internet poker revenue sipped 9.1% to $2.7m.

Hollywood Casino at Penn National claimed top spot in the igaming market with $48.6m in revenue, ahead of Rivers Casino Philadelphia on $26.2m, then Valley Forge Casino Resort with $19.6m. Meanwhile, revenue from video gaming terminals also increased by 2.7% to $3.5m, though the state experienced further declines in fantasy sports contests, with revenue falling 41.3% to $1.9m for the month.