Online casinos are booming in the Keystone State, and a new report backs it up.
Researchers at Penn State’s Criminal Justice Research Center created the 2024 Pennsylvania Interactive Gaming Assessment: Online Gambling Report for the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. They surveyed over 1,400 Pennsylvania residents and found that one in five adults (20%) now gamble online, up from 16% in 2023.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board reported that online gambling revenues in the state hit over $2.1 billion during the 2023-24 fiscal year, nearly a 5% increase from the previous year. The researchers also noted that almost half of the calls to the 1-800-GAMBLER hotline mentioned online gambling.
What Did The Online Gambling Report Reveal?
The report found that people who gambled both in person and online had the highest risk of developing gambling problems, while those who only gambled in person had the lowest risk.
Other findings include:
- About two-thirds of adults in Pennsylvania gambled in the past year.
- Among those who gambled, 46% did so only in person. Online gamblers fell into two groups: 17% gambled both online and in person, while close to 3% gambled only online.
- More than 20% of online gamblers participated in illegal or unregulated gambling sites. This group makes up around 6% of all adults in Pennsylvania.
- Sports betting was the most popular type of online gambling, with nearly 8% of people taking part.
A closer look at the numbers reveals that almost 49% of people played the lottery, making it the most popular form of in-person gambling.
Lead Author Says Online Casino Oversight Is Critical
Addressing the rising trend, Glenn Sterner, associate professor of criminal justice at Penn State Abington and lead author of the report, emphasized the importance of vigilant oversight: “This year's report highlights the need for ongoing monitoring of online gambling in Pennsylvania.”
He also stressed the significance of public awareness, stating, “With increased revenues and the prevalence of online gambling, we need to be sure we are adequately educating Pennsylvanians about the risks of illegal sites that may seek to take advantage of this surge in activity.”
The record breaking revenue figures come at a time when Pennsylvania is getting closer to joining the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA). This will allow online poker players to play against people in Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, and West Virginia. Those are the five states that are currently part of the pact.
Horseshoe Casino just launched a live dealer online casino in Pennsylvania. Caesars Palace also got into the live dealer games online in The Keystone State, so there are options. All signs are pointing that way
Online Gaming Has Little Impact on Casino Visits in PA
Despite the growing popularity of online gaming and sports betting in Pennsylvania, they aren't affecting how often people visit traditional casinos.
According to the Penn State survey, even as more people participate in online gaming, the number of visitors to the state's 17 brick-and-mortar casinos has stayed steady.
In fact, offline gambling participation slightly increased, from just over 62% to 63% of Pennsylvania adults.
On the financial side, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board reported that the state's gaming industry, one of the richest in the country, earned a record tax benefit of over $2.7 billion last year. Additionally, the state collected more than $209 million more in gaming taxes in 2024 compared to 2023, demonstrating significant growth in the gaming sector.
Responsible Gambling is a Must in Every State
The surge in online gambling in Pennsylvania is evident, as highlighted by the latest findings from Penn State's Criminal Justice Research Center. But understanding current online gambling trends is essential for shaping our future approach to tackling compulsive and problem gambling in the state and around the country.
And if you’re in one of the states that offer legal online casino gambling, tt’s also important to find the most trustworthy sites to play on.
Remember to always set limits, never gamble beyond your means, and always gamble responsibly.
