Pennsylvania Casinos Set Record $423M Gaming Revenue in July

Pennsylvania gaming industry generated more than $423 million in July, the highest revenue total since the first legal casino bet was wagered in the state in 2006. The latest gross gaming revenue (GGR) outshines the previous record of $413.18 million witnessed just two months back in May.

The Keystone State had 13 commercial brick-and-mortar casinos operational last month, in addition to retail and mobile sports betting, iGaming, daily fantasy sports (DFS), and video gaming terminals (VGTs).

According to the numbers released Wednesday by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), GGR from all gaming operators totaled $423.65 million in July, compared to $388.8 million – or $35 more – generated in June.

The year-over-year comparison is far greater as July 2020 had seen $283 million amid the COVID-19-led restrictions, including the partial closures of Rivers Casino locations in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia last July.

Revenue Break Down

The state casinos are finally free of the pandemic-led restrictions. The land-based casinos are no longer forced to reduced capacity limits. Plus, the operators have allowed indoor smoking sections, with the slot machines – previously shut down to promote social distancing – are back on.

In the state casinos, retail slot machines generated $22.8 million, up 35% year-over-year, and 11.5% higher than July 2019. Table games took in $86.9 million, representing a 65.5% increase year-over-year and a 13% rise compared to July 2019.

Last month was the best single month ever for table games since the Keystone State legalized table gambling in 2010.

Video gaming terminals (VGTs) generated $3.75 million across the state, up 81% in the year-over-year comparison. Fantasy contests generated $1.57 million, according to the report.

Retail and mobile sports betting took in $19.85 million in July, representing a significant jump from July 2020’s $8.1 million. However, Pennsylvania sports betting handle continued its downward trend last month amid the summer slump, which affected almost each sports betting state.

iGaming Posts Strong Numbers

Amid the record earnings of Pennsylvania casinos, mobile platforms continued to show strong numbers. Online slot machines generated $63.2 million, $22.8 million came through table games and $2.6 million from online poker.

Overall, iGaming GGR posted $88.6 million last month, which represents a 63% gain from what was generated during the same period last year.

Revenue By Casino

Of the state’s 15 licensed casinos – 13 were optional last month – Parx Casino witnessed the highest revenue total of $64 million.

Rivers Casino Pittsburgh took in $34.1 million in total revenues – including $25.3 million in slot machines, $7.6 million from table games, and $1.2 million from overall sports betting.

Meadows Racetrack and Casino was responsible for $20.6 million in total revenues in July. The venue brought in $14.5 million from slot machines, $3.2 million from tables games, and nearly $2.9 million from overall sports betting.

Live! Casino Pittsburg, which opened last November, reported $9.8 million in revenues last month. Of that, $8.4 million was from slots, $1.35 million from table games, and $95,700 from sports betting after processing the sports bets worth $1 million.

Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin took in $2.49 million, including $2.2 million from slot machines, and $226,000 from table games.