Pennsylvania casino revenues up 42% from pre-pandemic levels

Recently released figures show that Pennsylvania casinos saw a more than $9 million revenue increase in May compared to the previous month, reports The Tribune-Review.

According to data from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, combined gambling revenues last month exceeded $413 million compared to the $404 million reported in April. A comparison was not provided between May and the same period last year as facilities were closed because of the covid-19 pandemic.

However, figures reported last month were 42% higher compared to those in May 2019, when gambling revenues totaled $290.8 million.

Pennsylvania's online and retail sportsbooks accepted $447.5 million in wagers in May, down 6.7% from $479.4 million in April, according to official data released Thursday. Through 11 months of the fiscal year, sportsbooks have accepted $5.2 billion in bets.

Sportsbooks won $37.4 million off May's wagers, up 3.8% from $36 million in April, which produced $27.7 million in taxable revenue. The month yielded $9.4 million in state taxes and $554,930 in local share assessments.

Of the state's 15 licensed casinos, Hollywood Casino at Penn National in Dauphin County saw the highest revenue total in May, bringing in more than $62.9 million.

Locally, Rivers Casino on Pittsburgh's North Shore saw revenues of $29.4 million. Of that, $21.7 million was generated from slot machines, $6.2 million from table games, and $1.5 million from retail and online sports wagering, according to the gaming control board.

At The Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Washington County, revenues totaled $20.6 million in May. Of that, $13.9 million was from slot machines, $2.6 million was generated from table games, and $4 million from retail and online sports wagering.

Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin in Fayette County generated $2 million last month, including $1.8 million from slot machines and almost $151,630 from table games.

Live! Casino Pittsburgh, which opened in Hempfield's Westmoreland Mall in November, saw revenues of $8.5 million last month. Of that, $7.2 million came from slot machines, $1.2 million was generated from table games and more than $78,730 came from retail sports wagering.

In casinos across the state, slot machine revenues totaled $201.3 million. Table games generated $77.2 million, video gambling terminal revenue was $3.6 million and fantasy contests added $1.9 million last month, all of which were slightly lower than what was reported in April.

PlayPennsylvania, an independent website covering legal and regulated gambling in the state, attributed the decrease in wagers to a slowdown in the sports betting industry typically seen between April and August. The organization noted the betting volume across the state saw one of the steeper declines compared to other states that have reported May numbers.

Dustin Gouker, the lead analyst for the PlayUSA.com network, which includes Play Pennsylvania, said: "The seasonal slowdown will continue to be a factor until bettors can place bets on Eagles, Steelers, and Penn State football games. And, with the popularity of online casinos holding even as retail casino customers return, the state's gaming industry is in relatively good shape."