Commercial gambling revenue in Pennsylvania reached an unprecedented $601.8 million in May, setting a new monthly record for the state. This remarkable
Commercial gambling revenue in Pennsylvania reached an unprecedented $601.8 million in May, setting a new monthly record for the state. This remarkable performance was significantly boosted by double-digit growth across both the iGaming and sports betting sectors, underscoring the dynamic expansion of the state’s gambling market.
May’s total revenue surpassed the previous record of $574.5 million, established in March of this year, by a solid 4.8%. The month’s figures also demonstrated a robust 15.5% increase compared to May 2024 and were 7.7% ahead of April’s revenue for this year. Data from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board revealed strong year-on-year growth in both iGaming and sports betting. Despite these impressive gains, retail slots continued to maintain their position as the primary single source of gambling revenue in Pennsylvania.
The iGaming sector exhibited particularly strong performance in May. Total revenue from iGaming, which encompasses online slots, internet table games, and poker, amounted to $232.9 million, marking a substantial 33.8% increase year-on-year. Breaking down this figure, online slots contributed $177.2 million, internet table games generated $52.9 million, and online poker accounted for $2.8 million.
Among operators and their online gaming partners, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course and its affiliates maintained their leading position in the iGaming sector. Their combined iGaming revenue topped $90.1 million, a rise of 38.4% year-on-year. Valley Forge Casino Resort secured second place with $64.1 million, showing an impressive 44.4% increase year-on-year. Rivers Casino Philadelphia completed the top three, reporting $36.9 million, 18% higher than in 2024.
The sports betting sector also experienced notable growth in May, with revenue climbing 34.4% to $59.4 million. Of this total, $56.4 million originated from online betting, while $3 million came from wagers placed at retail sportsbooks across the state.
Total handle for the month reached $655.4 million, representing a 10.7% increase from last year. This figure included $625 million bet online and $30.4 million wagered at retail locations. The statewide hold for May stood at 9.06%.
Looking at individual operator performance, FanDuel, partnered with Valley Forge Casino Resort, continued to lead the online sports betting market. The partnership generated $28.4 million in revenue from $252.8 million wagered, resulting in an 11.23% hold. DraftKings and its partner, Hollywood Casino at the Meadows, remained second, posting $15.7 million in revenue off a $168.9 million handle, for a hold of 9.3%. Fanatics and Hollywood Casino York secured third place with $2.8 million from $43.2 million in handle, meaning a 6.48% hold. Elsewhere, ESPN Bet and Hollywood Casino at Penn National generated $2.6 million from $27.2 million, resulting in a 9.56% hold. Bet365, linked to Presque Isle Downs and Casino, completed the top five with $2.3 million from $28.6 million, for an 8.04% hold.
May brought mixed results for land-based gambling across Pennsylvania. Revenue from retail slots was 5% higher year-on-year, reaching $224.9 million, indicating continued strength in this traditional segment. However, other land-based verticals saw declines. Land-based table games revenue was down by 4.6% to $79.9 million, while video gaming terminal (VGT) revenue at truck stops also experienced a slight drop of 0.1% to $3.7 million. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board also noted a 5.4% drop in fantasy sports revenue, which amounted to $1.1 million for the month.
In terms of total tax contributions to the state, Pennsylvania collected $255.1 million in May. This included $104.6 million from iGaming, $21.4 million from sports betting, $113.7 million from land-based slots, and $13.4 million from table games.
The May 2025 results underscore the increasing importance of iGaming and sports betting in driving overall gambling revenue growth in Pennsylvania, even as retail slots continue to be a significant contributor. The market’s diversification and expansion are clearly evident in these record-breaking figures, highlighting a vibrant and evolving gambling landscape.
