The official details from December 2019 for the gaming industry of Pennsylvania are set to be released soon. In the meantime, the state’s Gaming Control Board has provided the unofficial total for overall gross gaming revenue for the year. In 2019, the state earned a record-setting $3.27 billion. The total marks the best year ever for gaming revenue in Pennsylvania.
No Surprise
It really is no surprise that the overall gambling industry has grown considerably in the state. Pennsylvania now offers online gaming, an industry that has certainly helped to increase totals. The $3.27 billion from 2019 is also an unofficial number, with many expecting that total to change.
In 2018, the slot games of the state brought in just over $2.3 million. Table games grossed less at just over $878 million. Sports betting began late in the year and produced around $2.5 million in just a two month time frame. In total, the combined gross gaming revenues for the state in 2018 came in at $3.25 billion.
There seems to be an increase of around $16 million when comparing the totals from 2018 to 2019. This would come from online gaming as well as sports betting, slots and table games, though the exact numbers have yet to be released.
The state has seen an increase in gross total gaming revenue each year since 2015. The state is seemingly on a role and as more options are added, that number should only grow.
Big Year
2019 was a big year for the stat as sports betting boomed, with online betting apps launching left and right. The state also saw online casino gaming finally launch in July which helped to increase revenue totals.
It took some time for online casinos to be live as the Apple company through a wrench in plans along with the Department of Justice. Apple changed their app restrictions so companies had to take extra time to get ready to offer services or launch with Android only. The DOJ decided to change the interpretation of the Wire Act which led to the delay in launching so that sites would be in compliance.
For sports betting, the total revenues came in at $71.5 million. It is estimated that by the time December figures are released, that number will increase to around $90 million.
Live Dealer Games
Pretty soon, the online gambling industry in Pennsylvania will expand even further when live dealer games are launched. Live dealer games are highly successful in New Jersey and they should do equally as well in Pennsylvania.
Earlier this year, it was announced that Evolution Gaming had signed a deal with Parx Casino to launch live dealer titles like roulette, blackjack, poker and more. The games will be streamed live via an existing studio in New Jersey. Later on, Evolution will open a studio in Pennsylvania to stream the games.
Live dealer games are a big draw for players as they offer gaming in real time on a real gaming table. Instead of playing on a computerized table, players can interact with a dealer as moves are made on an actual table in a gaming environment. Once the full portfolio of live games are launched in the state, revenues should grow considerably.
We shall see in the coming days how the month of December fared for the state. We will pay particular interest to the online gaming totals to see how well the casinos are doing via online traffic.
