Pennsylvania gaming revenue grows 14% in April, with online casinos leading all US markets

Pennsylvania gaming revenue increased by 14% year-over-year in April to reach $461.6M, the state's Gaming Control Board (PGCB) reported on Tuesday. That figure was $1,115,481 short of the results for March 2022, which was an all-time monthly high for gaming in the state.

The Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Dauphin County led the market with total revenue of $65.6 million, an increase of 22.5% over April 2021. Most of its revenue was generated from online gaming, accounting for $45.2 million. Slot machines accounted for $14.7 million and table games were $2.6 million.

The Penn National's property was followed by Boyd Gaming's Valley Forge Casino Resort, Upper Merion, in Montgomery County, which had $57.4 million in revenue in April.

Hollywood Casino York, which opened in August 2021, had revenue of $8.1 million in April, with $5.9 million generated from slots. The Hollywood Casino in Morgantown, which opened in December 2021, had total revenue in April of $5.1 million, with $4.2 million generated from slots.

Two casinos showed decreases from a year ago. Parx Casino, Bethlehem had revenue for the month of $57.1 million, down 9.34% from a year ago. Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mt. Pocono had revenue for the month of $20.1 million, down 15.35% from April 2021.

Furthermore, Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks drew $572.8 million in wagers in April, up 19% from $479.4 million from April 2021, according to official data released Tuesday. But without the NFL or the NCAA Tournament, the month’s betting was down 20% from $715.0 million in March, dropping to the lowest volume since August 2021, according to PlayPennsylvania, which tracks the state’s gaming industry.

Sportsbooks won $49.1 million in gross revenue in April, up 36% from April 2021, and up 1% from $48.5 million in March. The month’s win yielded $12.1 million in state and local taxes.

Online sportsbooks attracted $536.1 million in wagers, or 93.6% of the state’s April handle. FanDuel led the online market with $226.6 million in wagers and $28.4 million in revenue. DraftKings followed with $119.1 million in online wagers, producing $5.3 million in gross revenue. BetMGM was third with $65.9 million in wagers, yielding $4.7 million in gross revenue. Penn National’s Barstool-branded app was fourth with $38.2 million in online wagers, which created $3.6 million in gross revenue.

Retail sportsbooks took in $36.7 million in wagers in April, which produced $3.0 million in gross revenue. Parx led all retailers with $5.7 million in wagers.

Online casinos and poker rooms led all U.S. markets with $138.0 million in gross revenue. That is the second-most all-time for the state, falling short of the U.S. record $142.7 million in gross gaming revenue produced in March. And it was just ahead of New Jersey’s $136.9 million in April. Online casino games alone produced $135.1 million in revenue on $4.2 billion in wagers.

Year-over-year, Pennsylvania's online casinos and poker rooms grew 30.8% from $105.5 million in April 2021, according to PlayPennsylvania. The pace at online casinos and poker rooms hit $4.6 million in revenue per day over the 30 days of April, essentially even with the 31 days of March.

Video Gaming Terminal revenue was $3.8 million, 2.6% lower than April 2021, with $2.3 million going to Penn National-owned Marquee by Penn.

Total tax revenue generated through all forms of gaming and fantasy contests for the month was $187.6 million, the Gaming Control Board reported Tuesday.