It was another record-setting month for Pennsylvania online casinos in December.
PA online casinos reported gross revenue of $166.9 million in December, which not only set another monthly record, but it also helped the Keystone State reach $5.2 billion in gaming revenue for the 2022 calendar year.
Pennsylvania recorded just shy of $475 million in total gaming revenue for December, the highest total for any month.
December continued the upward trend for PA online casinos
Pennsylvania online casinos are continuing to grow. December marks the third straight month PA online casinos topped the US iGaming record, surpassing the previous month’s number. The previous two months were as follows:
- October: $151.7 million
- November: $155.9 million
Since launching in 2019, iGaming has continued to gain popularity while increasing its revenue each year. 2020 revenue was likely boosted due to temporary casino closures and other pandemic-related events that year. Here are the revenue statistics since 2019:
- 2019: $33.6 million
- 2020: $565.8 million
- 2021: $1.1 billion
- 2022: $1.4 billion
In 2022, the online casino category in PA generated the second-largest amount of revenue, after retail slot machines, which took in $2.4 billion.
With this also being the fourth year of online casinos and PA sports betting, Pennsylvania set a new record in total gaming revenue, recording $5.2 billion. That figure marks an increase of $500 million YoY. In 2021, the state reported $4.7 billion.
PA online casinos benefit from new game features and pandemic closures
There are many reasons online casinos are continuing to grow, and the growth might not stop anytime soon.
In 2022, PointsBet Casino launched in April to become the 18th online casino in PA. The plentiful options represent a mature market, but PA is expected to add several new online casinos in 2023.
WynnBet is next in line after gaining PGCB approval in December. In addition, Bally’s Casino recently petitioned for Qualified Gaming Entity status. If granted, QGE status would allow it to launch without a partnership with a land-based casino.
Golden Nugget was previously granted QGE status, but is yet to be fully licensed.
The pandemic is also another key factor in why online casinos have skyrocketed.
In 2019, the first year of online casinos, Pennsylvania only generated $33.6 million in revenue. In 2020, iGaming revenue increased to $565.8 million, a percentage increase of 1,583.9%. With retail casinos closed that year, players had no other choice but to get comfortable using online casinos.
Live dealer online games have also helped revenue surge over the years. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) credited live dealer games with approximately 50% of online table games revenue generated in Pennsylvania in the fiscal year 2021/2022. Of course that only represents six months of 2022, but still shows the impact live dealer games have had.
In addition to PA casinos adding new features, they are constantly adding new and exciting games for players. Most sites now offer well over one hundred slot titles, plus dozens of table games.
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