Pennsylvania’s Online Gambling Boom: $2.1 Billion Revenue Milestone and Rising Participation
The online gambling landscape in Pennsylvania is experiencing significant growth, with a recent report revealing that revenues have reached over $2.1 billion during the 2023-24 fiscal year. This marks a near 5% increase from the previous fiscal period, according to the 2024 Pennsylvania Interactive Gaming Assessment: Online Gambling Report, authored by researchers at Penn State’s Criminal Justice Research Center.
The study, developed under a contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, surveyed more than 1,400 adults across Pennsylvania. The findings indicate a notable shift in gambling behaviors, with approximately 20% of Pennsylvania adults engaging in online gambling—up from 16% reported in 2023.
Record Revenues and Increased Participation
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board reported that online gambling revenues have reached unprecedented levels, reflecting a growing interest in digital wagering platforms. In this latest assessment, nearly half of the calls received by the 1-800-GAMBLER hotline related to online gambling, signaling that increased participation may come with elevated risks.
“Our report underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring of online gambling within the state,” said Glenn Sterner, the lead author of the report and associate professor of criminal justice at Penn State Abington. “With rising revenues and participation rates, it’s crucial to educate Pennsylvanians about the potential dangers posed by unauthorized and illegal gambling sites.”
Key Findings on Gambling Behaviors
The report highlighted several critical insights regarding gambling habits among Pennsylvania residents:
- Nearly two-thirds of adults admitted to gambling in some form within the past year.
- Of those who participated in gambling activities, approximately 46% gambled exclusively offline. Online gamblers were divided, with 17% identified as mixed-mode gamblers (both online and offline) and 2.7% as exclusive online gamblers.
- Worryingly, over 20% of online gamblers reported engaging in illegal or unregulated gambling, representing roughly 6% of the adult populace in the state.
- Sports betting emerged as the most favored online gambling format, with 7.9% of respondents participating, while lotteries remained the leading form of offline gambling with 48.7% participation.
Additionally, the research suggests that individuals who engage in both online and in-person gambling may face higher risks of developing problem gambling behaviors. In contrast, those who only gamble in person exhibited the lowest risk levels. This finding emphasizes the need for targeted interventions that focus on the hazards associated with online gambling.
A Call for Awareness and Education
Latika Davis-Jones, secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, reiterated the importance of understanding current trends in online gambling. “Recognizing these trends informs our strategies for addressing compulsive and problem gambling in the commonwealth,” she said, adding that the report aims to enhance public awareness about available treatment options, such as the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline.
The collaborative effort embodied in this report also included insights from Gillian E. H. Russell, an assistant research professor at Penn State Abington, and Amanda M. Ferrara, operations manager at the Penn State Social Science Research Institute’s Survey Research Center.
Funding for this comprehensive report was made available through Pennsylvania Act 42, utilizing revenues generated from interactive gaming licensees, ensuring a continued commitment to understanding and managing the evolving online gambling environment in the state.