Pennsylvania gambling revenue hit another record high in 2022

Pennsylvania’s legalized gambling industry raked in another record haul in 2022 with revenue nearly half a billion dollars higher than the previous year.

In 2022, the combined revenue of slot machine, table games, sports wagering, iGaming, video gaming terminals and fantasy contests totaled $5.21 billion compared to $4.73 billion in 2021, according to numbers from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The board oversees 16 casinos, as well as online casino and sports betting, retail wagers and game terminals at truck stops.

Players might have lost out, but the payout meant record combined tax revenue of $2.12 billion, up from $1.93 billion in 2021.

Money generated from online gaming and slot machines hit the biggest jackpot.

Betting on iGaming sites soared 22.6% year over year to clock in at $1.36 billion.

Slot machine revenue at the casinos was $2.39 billion, a 4.51% increase over the previous year.

“Gambling on iGaming sites is getting more popular as players get more comfortable with online wagering and its integrity, along with more site option choices and the increases of games within the sites,” said Doug Harbach, spokesperson for the Gaming Control Board.

Table games brought in $990 million, a 7.1% increase year over year.

Sports betting jumped almost 18% to generate $401 million. Sports wagering handle, the amount bet through both retail and online, was $7.25 billion, a 10.67% increase over 2021’s handle of $6.55 billion.

The only category to sink was fantasy leagues, which fell 23.9% to $22 million.

Though there wasn’t a clear reason for fantasy leagues to drop, Harbach speculated that sports betting could be garnering more attention.

“I would guess that with the rising popularity of sports wagering, individuals are choosing to use their available dollars in that endeavor rather than in fantasy sports contests,” he said.

Video game terminals at truck stops climbed almost 6% to $42 million. At the end of the year, there were 66 such facilities in Pennsylvania, the gaming board said.

As for destinations, most of the state’s 16 casinos saw revenue climb between 2021 and 2022.

• Locally, the Rivers Casino on Pittsburgh’s North Shore pulled in an increase of 5.17% year over year to reach $373.9 million.

• Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington County rose 5.6% to $265.7 million.

• Live! Casino Pittsburgh in Westmoreland Mall in Hempfield saw a double-digit percentage jump of 10.29% to reach $111.9 million.

• However, Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin in the Laurel Highlands shed 6.27%, clocking in revenue of $22.2 million.