Hollywood Casino and Online Slots Lead Market Momentum Amid Retail Shifts
Pennsylvania’s gaming industry has delivered a strong performance in April 2025, with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) reporting $558.7 million in total gaming revenue, marking a 10.7% year-on-year increase. The rebound follows a February slowdown and solidifies the recovery trend first observed in March, when revenue rose by 3.6%.
iGaming Emerges as Growth Engine
The standout performer was iGaming, which surged 31.3% year-on-year to $227.7 million, driven predominantly by online slots. Slots alone brought in $169.5 million, reflecting a 34.5% increase, while iGaming table games climbed 24.2% to $55.9 million.
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course topped the digital charts with $83.2 million, a staggering 33.5% increase, reinforcing its position as a major digital gaming hub in the state.
Retail Casinos Show Mixed Results
While digital channels surged, retail slot revenue saw a 1.2% decline, down to $203.1 million. This decline aligns with a slight dip in the number of operational slot machines, now at 24,363 units, compared to 24,890 in April 2024.
Parx Casino maintained its crown in retail slot earnings with $31.4 million, though this was marginally down by 0.7%. In retail table games, however, Wind Creek Bethlehem led the way, posting $24 million — a 9.6% year-on-year gain.
A standout performer in this category was Hollywood Casino York, which saw a 37.7% jump to $1.5 million, while Hollywood Casino at Penn National experienced a sharp 39.3% decline in table game earnings.
Stable Sports Wagering with a Few Surprises
Sports betting revenue remained virtually flat at $42.5 million, a modest 0.3% rise, but the total handle jumped 10.1% to $711.6 million, suggesting growing player engagement. Notably, Presque Isle Downs saw a massive 2700% increase in sports betting revenue, climbing to $1.9 million, likely tied to targeted promotions or new platform launches.
Other Segments: Fantasy and VGTs See Mixed Outcomes
Fantasy contest revenue edged up 2.3% to $1.26 million, with DraftKings capturing the lion’s share at $946,000. Meanwhile, Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) continued their downward trajectory, falling 3.6% to $3.5 million, raising questions about the segment’s long-term viability.
Tax Contribution and Outlook
Gaming tax contributions for April totaled $234.5 million, reinforcing the sector’s critical role in Pennsylvania’s public revenue framework.
As the industry pivots more aggressively toward digital platforms, Pennsylvania appears well-positioned to maintain its trajectory of steady, tech-driven growth. With consistent revenue gains in March and April, the state’s gaming market is poised for continued expansion — provided operators continue balancing innovation with player engagement across channels.
