Gambling revenue in Pennsylvania has continued to increase, including a massive growth in January 2025 that resulted in more than $529 million in revenue.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board revealed this week that the total revenue generated from gambling and betting activity in January 2025 was a little more than $529 million. This is a 10% increase from January 2024, which generated a bit more than $477 million. The total tax revenue in January 2025 was $221,642,068. These are huge numbers, and the year-over-year increase speaks to the growing interest in participation in online gambling.
What made $529 million in one month alone? Fantasy contests, video game terminals, sports wagering, online casino games, retail table games, and slot machines. The most popular activity was casino gambling.
The PGCB reported that casino gambling was the betting activity with the largest increase in popularity this year in Pennsylvania. In fact, January 2025 was a record-breaking month for online gambling in the state, earning $210,170,977. This is a 40.52% increase from January 2024. Online gambling is on the minds of many states right now for its potential revenue. This includes Maryland, who is throwing around a bill right now to further open up gambling opportunities in the state as states around the US examine the revenue that online betting might bring to them.
Slot machines in January earned $187,834,351, 4.64% more than in January 2024. Video game terminals had a 4.48% increase, around the same. Fantasy contests generated $2,677,232, an 886% increase from January 2024. Retail table games had a 1.46% increase, earning $73,720,836.
Interestingly, sports betting decreased in 2025 for the state of Pennsylvania. This is a surprise since sports betting has seen huge growth across the United States in 2024 as it’s legalized in more and more states. Esports betting is also on the mind of the state of New Jersey.
Pennsylvania had a delayed start to gambling, both online and in-person. That hasn’t stopped the state from becoming one of the most successful in the industry. Gambling picked up in the state in 2004 when lawmakers saw it as a way to save struggling racetracks. The Race Horse Development and Gaming Act added slot machines that people could use at racetrack casinos. It’s continued to skyrocket ever since.
There are now around 17 online casinos in the state and 13 sports betting sites. A study found the state generated $1.1 billion in 2021 alone. Sports gambling brought in $340 million. And it’s clearly been increasing from that year onward, with expectations that these numbers will continue to rise for the foreseeable future.
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
