Pennsylvania: Gaming revenue sets new monthly record for fifth time in 2021

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Wednesday reported revenue of $425.9 million, breaking the record set in July 2021 of $423.7 million. According to PGCB Communications Director Doug Harbach, gaming revenue in the commonwealth is expected to increase in coming months.

“There continues to be a surge following the strict safety measures implemented at the casinos due to Covid-19,” said Harbach via email. “With another casino scheduled to open next month in Morgantown (Berks County), the expectation is the retail revenue will continue to rise in the months ahead.”

All forms of gaming generated higher revenue than October 2020 except for sports betting, which decreased 36%, from $36.7 million to $23.5 million in October 2021. But the state’s total handle in sports betting, $776.2 million, outpaced September’s handle of $578.7 by nearly $200 million.

“The activity of sports wagering was tremendous in October, driven by three major sports in action at this time of year,” Harbach said. “Unlike the predictability of revenue in relation to wagering activity in other forms of gambling, the volatility of the outcomes of sporting events will greatly affect the revenue line in that sector.”

Slot revenue, however, more than covered the decrease in sports betting revenue, increasing 23.9% from $154.7 million in October 2020 to $203.3 million.

Philadelphia’s Parx Casino generated the most revenue, $57.4 million, a year-over-year increase of 4,4% compared to the $54.9 million in October 2020. Parx edge out Hollywood Casino at Penn National in Grantville, which reported $57.1 million, up 63.2% from revenue of $34.9 million in the previous year. Rivers Casino Philadelphia generated $46.3 million in October, a year-over-year increase of 18.4%, from $39.1 million.

Parx reported the most slot revenue in the state, $33.7 million. Wind Creek Bethlehem had $23.1 million for October,  and Rivers Casino Pittsburgh generated $22.9 million in slot revenue.

Pennsylvania igaming revenue was $102.9 million in October compared to $97.8 million in September. Hollywood Casino at Penn National reported $40.6 million in igaming revenue, followed by Rivers Casino Philadelphia ($26.3) and Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia ($18.8 million).

The total handle at Valley Forge Casino Resorts’ sportsbook, run by Fan Duel, was $275.4 million, generating $11.6 million in revenue. Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Meadowlands had a handle of $204.1 million, with revenue of $7.1 million. The total handle at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh was $37.6 million, with $949,000 in revenue.

By Rehe Behe