Commercial gambling revenue in Pennsylvania reached a new monthly record of $601.8 million in May, propelled by double-digit growth across both the iGaming and sports betting sectors. This marks a significant milestone for the state’s expanding gambling market.

May’s total revenue surpassed the previous record of $574.5 million, set in March this year, by 4.8%. It also demonstrated a robust 15.5% increase compared to May 2024 and was 7.7% ahead of April this year. Data from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board revealed strong year-on-year growth in several areas, most notably iGaming and sports betting. Despite these gains, retail slots continued to hold their position as the primary sole source of gambling revenue in Pennsylvania.

iGaming Revenue Soars to $232.9 Million

The iGaming sector demonstrated particularly strong performance in May. Total revenue from iGaming, which includes online slots, table games, and poker, amounted to $232.9 million, representing a substantial 33.8% increase year-on-year. Of this total, $177.2 million was attributed to online slots, $52.9 million to internet table games, and $2.8 million to online poker.

Among operators and their online gaming partners, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course and its partners remained the runaway leaders in the iGaming sector. Their combined iGaming revenue topped $90.1 million, marking a 38.4% rise year-on-year. Valley Forge Casino Resort secured second place with $64.1 million, up 44.4% year-on-year. Rivers Casino Philadelphia completed the top three with $36.9 million, 18% higher than 2024.

Strong Growth in Pennsylvania Sports Betting

The sports betting sector also experienced significant growth in May, with revenue climbing 34.4% to $59.4 million. Of this, $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, an increase of 10.7% 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, maintained its lead in 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.

Mixed Performance for Land-Based Gambling

For land-based gambling, May brought mixed results across Pennsylvania. Revenue from retail slots was 5% higher year-on-year, reaching $224.9 million, indicating continued strength in this segment. However, declines were observed elsewhere. Land-based table games revenue was down by 4.6% to $79.9 million, while video gaming terminal (VGT) revenue at truck stops also saw 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 tax contributions to the state, total income for Pennsylvania in May was $255.1 million. 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 highlight 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 evident in these record-breaking figures.