Located in the Northeastern region of the United States, Pennsylvania is the 33rd biggest state, its population is the sixth largest, while its population density is the ninth largest.
Gambling activities, and more specifically casino-style games, were authorized in 2004. At first, slot machines, horse racing and electronic table games were legalized, while roulette, poker and blackjack were finally authorized in January 2010. Activities such as sports betting still remain outside the scope of legalization.
The number of gambling establishments in the state rose from five in 2007 to twelve in 2013.
A Closer Look at Industry Numbers
| Gross Gambling Revenue for the Calendar Year in the State in US dollars | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Slot Revenue | Table Revenue | Total Revenue |
| 2006 | $31,567,926 | – | $31,567,926 |
| 2007 | $1,039,030,723 | – | $1,039,030,723 |
| 2008 | $1,615,565,758 | – | $1,615,565,758 |
| 2009 | $1,964,570,480 | – | $1,964,570,480 |
| 2010 | $2,273,934,190 | $212,473,871 | $2,486,408,061 |
| 2011 | $2,405,867,897 | $618,905,062 | $3,024,772,959 |
| 2012 | $2,470,935,317 | $687,382,546 | $3,158,317,863 |
| 2013 | $2,384,098,225 | $729,830,366 | $3,113,928,591 |
| 2014 | $2,319,534,383 | $749,542,726 | $3,069,077,109 |
Source: Center for Gaming Research, University of Nevada
Within the period 2006-2014, total gambling revenue in the state of Pennsylvania has peaked in 2012 at an annual level of USD 3.158 billion, after which there has been a certain retreat in the last two years. Between 2006 and 2012, on average, total revenue from casino-style games has grown at the staggering 553.52% annually.
The same trend is to be observed in gross revenue from slot machines between 2006 and 2014. There has been a peak in 2012 at an annual level of USD 2.470 billion. Between 2006 and 2012, on average, gross revenue from slot machines has risen at the whopping 548.79% annually.
Within the period 2010-2014, gross revenue from table games in Pennsylvania has been on the rise consistently, with the average annual rate of growth being 52.81%.
| Gross Gambling Revenue for the Fiscal Year in the State in US dollars* | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Slot Revenue | Table Revenue | Total Revenue |
| 2007 | $454,579,636 | – | $454,579,636 |
| 2008 | $1,404,753,259 | – | $1,404,753,259 |
| 2009 | $1,754,002,790 | – | $1,754,002,790 |
| 2010 | $2,164,839,765 | – | $2,164,839,765 |
| 2011 | $2,346,641,869 | $507,711,162 | $2,854,353,031 |
| 2012 | $2,476,775,317 | $663,845,673 | $3,140,620,990 |
| 2013 | $2,428,887,430 | $713,107,162 | $3,141,994,592 |
Source: Center for Gaming Research, University of Nevada
* results are for the respective fiscal year (July 1st – June 30th)
| Gross Gambling Revenue for the Fiscal Year by Casino in US dollars | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casinos & Racinos | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Mohegan Sun | $107,057,047 | $170,647,899 | $216,041,735 | $222,586,870 |
| Parx | $144,285,992 | $325,168,059 | $356,255,719 | $381,651,762 |
| Harrah’s | $127,317,769 | $332,785,935 | $319,601,304 | $306,764,863 |
| Presque Isle | $62,512,666 | $161,673,530 | $167,849,999 | $164,699,164 |
| The Meadows | $13,406,162 | $231,203,755 | $264,489,169 | $261,072,068 |
| Mount Airy | – | $110,592,025 | $180,210,947 | $145,439,086 |
| Penn National | – | $72,682,056 | $219,229,940 | $246,992,498 |
| Sands Bethlehem | – | – | $30,323,977 | $240,175,621 |
| The Rivers | – | – | – | $195,457,833 |
| SugarHouse | – | – | – | – |
| Valley Forge | – | – | – | – |
| Nemacolin | – | – | – | – |
| Total | $454,579,636 | $1,404,753,259 | $1,754,002,790 | $2,164,839,765 |
| Gross Gambling Revenue for the Fiscal Year by Casino in US dollars | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Casinos & Racinos | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 |
| Mohegan Sun | $264,130,486 | $281,854,434 | $267,249,651 |
| Parx | $470,473,077 | $504,868,409 | $486,726,070 |
| Harrah’s | $351,322,629 | $344,050,893 | $329,899,652 |
| Presque Isle | $189,807,580 | $186,412,357 | $153,419,274 |
| The Meadows | $282,529,917 | $287,077,798 | $276,789,079 |
| Mount Airy | $183,732,383 | $189,666,744 | $185,819,475 |
| Penn National | $283,783,008 | $289,342,849 | $276,010,070 |
| Sands Bethlehem | $337,192,541 | $413,963,247 | $456,281,459 |
| The Rivers | $320,272,128 | $353,424,448 | $352,613,869 |
| SugarHouse | $171,109,282 | $271,025,003 | $269,602,150 |
| Valley Forge | – | $18,934,808 | $87,528,210 |
| Nemacolin | – | – | $55,633 |
| Total | $2,854,353,031 | $3,140,620,990 | $3,141,994,592 |
Source: Center for Gaming Research, University of Nevada
Within the period 2007-2013, annual gross gambling revenue of Mohegan Sun and Parx has reached a peak in 2012 after five years of consistent growth. Between 2007 and 2012 Mohegan Sun had an average annual revenue growth of 22.88%, while Parx – 34.53%.
Within the period 2009-2013, annual gross gambling revenue of Sands Bethlehem rose at an average of 191.35%.
Between fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2008 growth of total gambling revenue in Pennsylvania was quite steep, followed by a four-year period of more modest growth, while between fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2013 total revenue surged at a mere 0.044%.
| Revenue Share by Casino in % | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casinos & Racinos | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 |
| Mohegan Sun | 23.55 | 12.15 | 12.32 | 10.28 | 9.25 | 8.97 | 8.51 |
| Parx | 31.74 | 23.15 | 20.31 | 17.63 | 16.48 | 16.08 | 15.49 |
| Harrah’s | 28.01 | 23.69 | 18.22 | 14.17 | 12.31 | 10.95 | 10.50 |
| Presque Isle | 13.75 | 11.51 | 9.57 | 7.61 | 6.65 | 5.94 | 4.88 |
| The Meadows | 2.95 | 16.46 | 15.08 | 12.06 | 9.90 | 9.14 | 8.81 |
| Mount Airy | – | 7.87 | 10.27 | 6.72 | 6.44 | 6.04 | 5.91 |
| Penn National | – | 5.17 | 12.50 | 11.41 | 9.94 | 9.21 | 8.78 |
| Sands Bethlehem | – | – | 1.73 | 11.09 | 11.81 | 13.18 | 14.52 |
| The Rivers | – | – | – | 9.03 | 11.22 | 11.25 | 11.22 |
| SugarHouse | – | – | – | – | 5.99 | 8.63 | 8.58 |
| Valley Forge | – | – | – | – | – | 0.60 | 2.79 |
| Nemacolin | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0.00 |
| Total | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 |
Within the period 2007-2014, Mohegan Sun, Parx, Harrah’s and Presque Isle had consistently decreasing revenue shares. However, among all 12 establishments, Parx had the most considerable share of total gambling revenue in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, while losing its leadership to Harrah’s in 2008 only. The Meadows has had a constantly diminishing revenue share since 2008, while the same tendency has been observed with Mount Airy and Penn National since 2009. On the other hand, Sands Bethlehem has demonstrated an expansion since 2010, while in 2013 it ranked second in terms of revenue share following Parx.
| Number of Slot Machines and Slot Revenue by Casino in US dollars | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casinos & Racinos | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |||||||||
| Gross Revenue | Slot Number | Gross Revenue | Slot Number | Gross Revenue | Slot Number | |||||||
| Mohegan Sun | $170,647,898.99 | 1202 | $216,041,734.99 | 2431 | $222,586,870.22 | 2391 | ||||||
| Parx | $325,168,058.60 | 2761 | $356,255,718.80 | 2912 | $381,651,762.43 | 3102 | ||||||
| Harrah’s | $332,785,935.18 | 2790 | $319,601,304.40 | 2851 | $306,764,863.25 | 2926 | ||||||
| Presque Isle | $161,673,530.44 | 1996 | $167,849,999.39 | 1994 | $164,699,164.47 | 1984 | ||||||
| The Meadows | $231,203,754.80 | 1818 | $264,489,169.20 | 2171 | $261,072,067.86 | 3666 | ||||||
| Mount Airy | $110,592,025.26 | 2523 | $180,210,946.78 | 2515 | $145,439,085.56 | 2442 | ||||||
| Penn National | $72,682,055.77 | 2024 | $219,229,940.27 | 2241 | $246,992,498.11 | 2370 | ||||||
| Sands Bethlehem | – | – | $30,323,976.63 | 3000 | $240,175,621.18 | 3059 | ||||||
| The Rivers | – | – | – | – | $195,457,832.17 | 2958 | ||||||
| SugarHouse | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||||||
| Valley Forge | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||||||
| Nemacolin | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||||||
| Total | $1,404,753,259.04 | 15114 | $1,754,002,790.46 | 20115 | $2,164,839,765.25 | 24898 | ||||||
| Number of Slot Machines and Slot Revenue by Casino in US dollars | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casinos & Racinos | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | |||||||||
| Gross Revenue | Slot Number | Gross Revenue | Slot Number | Gross Revenue | Slot Number | |||||||
| Mohegan Sun | $225,550,141.04 | 2382 | $238,742,670.28 | 2331 | $224,326,144.78 | 2332 | ||||||
| Parx | $380,134,875.13 | 3431 | $387,956,886.31 | 3522 | $376,418,085.85 | 3365 | ||||||
| Harrah’s | $280,393,503.65 | 2950 | $263,570,464.28 | 2918 | $249,568,812.44 | 2798 | ||||||
| Presque Isle | $169,754,111.72 | 2026 | $164,887,107.28 | 2069 | $138,463,134.80 | 1791 | ||||||
| The Meadows | $250,497,760.29 | 3470 | $251,394,163.05 | 3316 | $240,805,245.68 | 3317 | ||||||
| Mount Airy | $145,994,022.46 | 2395 | $148,538,159.20 | 2164 | $146,594,807.99 | 1985 | ||||||
| Penn National | $249,113,767.67 | 2477 | $250,483,811.82 | 2465 | $238,200,029.20 | 2461 | ||||||
| Sands Bethlehem | $264,068,657.48 | 3025 | $286,150,525.42 | 3016 | $290,903,381.83 | 3017 | ||||||
| The Rivers | $262,580,027.46 | 2929 | $283,419,177.91 | 2951 | $283,332,872.57 | 2932 | ||||||
| SugarHouse | $118,555,002.00 | 1602 | $189,816,592.45 | 1586 | $184,283,207.92 | 1605 | ||||||
| Valley Forge | – | – | $11,815,758.80 | 600 | $55,944,930.04 | 600 | ||||||
| Nemacolin | – | – | – | – | $46,776.71 | 600 | ||||||
| Total | $2,346,641,868.90 | 26687 | $2,476,775,316.80 | 26938 | $2,428,887,429.81 | 26803 | ||||||
Source: Center for Gaming Research, University of Nevada
Within the period 2008-2013, the total number of slot machines in Pennsylvania has reached a peak in 2012 at 26 938 units. Among all 12 establishments, Parx had the largest number of slots in 2008, 2012 and 2013, Sands Bethlehem took the lead in 2009, while the Meadows – in 2010 and 2011.
Harrah’s has been the only establishment to post a consistent decrease in its annual gross revenue from slot machines since 2008, with its average annual drop rate being 5.58%. On the other hand, Sands Bethlehem’s slot revenue has been on the rise since 2009, which is the only such trend to be distinquished. Between 2009 and 2013 its average annual rate of growth has been 178.00%. Gross revenue from slots at Penn National and Mohegan Sun has soared on a consistent basis between 2008 and 2012, after which they both reported a drop in 2013.
In terms of absolute revenue value, Parx registered the highest gross revenue from slots in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, losing ground only to Harrah’s in 2008.
| Number of Tables and Table Revenue by Casino in US dollars | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casinos & Racinos | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | |||
| Gross Revenue | Table Number | Gross Revenue | Table Number | Gross Revenue | Table Number | |
| Mohegan Sun | $38,580,345.00 | 81 | $43,111,764.00 | 84 | $42,923,506.00 | 84 |
| Parx | $90,338,202.00 | 114 | $116,911,523.00 | 181 | $110,307,984.00 | 164 |
| Harrah’s | $70,929,125.00 | 114 | $80,480,429.00 | 123 | $80,330,840.00 | 121 |
| Presque Isle | $20,053,468.00 | 48 | $21,525,250.00 | 51 | $14,956,139.00 | 48 |
| The Meadows | $32,032,157.00 | 66 | $35,683,635.00 | 78 | $35,983,833.00 | 80 |
| Mount Airy | $37,738,361.00 | 74 | $41,128,585.00 | 72 | $39,224,667.00 | 72 |
| Penn National | $34,669,240.00 | 57 | $38,859,037.00 | 67 | $37,810,041.00 | 69 |
| Sands Bethlehem | $73,123,884.00 | 98 | $127,812,722.00 | 139 | $165,378,077.00 | 180 |
| The Rivers | $57,692,101.00 | 93 | $70,005,270.00 | 109 | $69,280,996.00 | 115 |
| SugarHouse | $52,554,279.00 | 42 | $81,208,409.00 | 54 | $85,318,943.00 | 58 |
| Valley Forge | – | – | $7,119,049.00 | 50 | $31,583,280.00 | 50 |
| Nemacolin | – | – | – | – | $8,856.00 | 28 |
| Total | $507,711,162.00 | 787 | $663,845,673.00 | 1008 | $713,107,162.00 | 1069 |
Source: Center for Gaming Research, University of Nevada
Within the period 2011-2013, the total number of tables in Pennsylvania has peaked in 2013 at 1 069 units. Among all 12 establishments, Parx had the largest number of tables in 2012, while in 2013 Sands Bethlehem took the lead.
The Meadows, Sands Bethlehem and SugarHouse have been the only establishments to post a consistent increase in their annual gross revenue from table games since 2011. For the period in question, their average annual rates of revenue growth have been 6.12%, 52.09% and 31.17%, respectively. The Rivers, Penn National, Mount Airy, Presque Isle, Harrah’s, Parx and Mohegan Sun all reported a peak in their gross table revenue in 2012, which was followed by a drop in 2013.
In terms of absolute revenue value, Parx registered the highest gross revenue from table games in 2011, while falling behind Sands Bethlehem in 2012 and 2013.
| Monthly Gross Gambling Revenue in the State in US dollars | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Slot Revenue | Revenue Share % | Table Revenue | Revenue Share % | Total Revenue | |
| 2015 | April | $205,894,827 | 76.09 | $64,684,083 | 23.91 | $270,578,910 |
| March | $207,712,396 | 74.86 | $69,770,440 | 25.14 | $277,482,836 | |
| February | $183,203,043 | 74.14 | $63,916,997 | 25.86 | $247,120,040 | |
| January | $180,963,004 | 73.27 | $66,023,943 | 26.73 | $246,986,947 | |
| 2014 | December | $188,426,686 | 73.48 | $67,999,651 | 26.52 | $256,426,337 |
| November | $183,441,906 | 74.20 | $63,775,743 | 25.80 | $247,217,649 | |
| October | $191,130,250 | 75.19 | $63,059,447 | 24.81 | $254,189,697 | |
| September | $180,311,642 | 75.28 | $59,203,617 | 24.72 | $239,515,259 | |
| August | $210,006,849 | 75.97 | $66,439,969 | 24.03 | $276,446,818 | |
| July | $201,416,899 | 76.72 | $61,108,779 | 23.28 | $262,525,678 | |
| June | $187,029,331 | 76.39 | $57,799,319 | 23.61 | $244,828,650 | |
| May | $210,830,677 | 76.66 | $64,176,092 | 23.34 | $275,006,769 | |
| April | $197,760,977 | 76.12 | $62,052,955 | 23.88 | $259,813,932 | |
| March | $216,213,980 | 76.36 | $66,929,907 | 23.64 | $283,143,887 | |
| February | $181,178,730 | 75.70 | $58,153,055 | 24.30 | $239,331,785 | |
| January | $171,786,456 | 74.49 | $58,844,192 | 25.51 | $230,630,648 | |
| 2013 | December | $178,059,128 | 75.12 | $58,974,630 | 24.88 | $237,033,758 |
| November | $189,970,652 | 74.88 | $63,741,428 | 25.12 | $253,712,080 | |
| October | $188,973,185 | 75.73 | $60,550,993 | 24.27 | $249,524,178 | |
| September | $187,803,113 | 76.66 | $57,170,645 | 23.34 | $244,973,758 | |
| August | $205,374,891 | 76.37 | $63,530,581 | 23.63 | $268,905,472 | |
| July | $204,909,480 | 77.37 | $59,950,573 | 22.63 | $264,860,053 | |
| June | $199,082,053 | 76.99 | $59,490,875 | 23.01 | $258,572,928 | |
| May | $211,245,136 | 77.10 | $62,758,499 | 22.90 | $274,003,635 | |
| April | $205,155,406 | 76.92 | $61,552,334 | 23.08 | $266,707,740 | |
| March | $229,335,372 | 77.29 | $67,383,247 | 22.71 | $296,718,619 | |
| February | $195,945,210 | 77.97 | $55,348,241 | 22.03 | $251,293,451 | |
| January | $188,244,599 | 76.02 | $59,378,325 | 23.98 | $247,622,924 | |
| 2012 | December | $195,049,653 | 76.36 | $60,383,437 | 23.64 | $255,433,090 |
| November | $192,512,491 | 77.51 | $55,869,260 | 22.49 | $248,381,751 | |
| October | $188,395,773 | 77.31 | $55,296,644 | 22.69 | $243,692,417 | |
| September | $200,465,589 | 77.17 | $59,301,911 | 22.83 | $259,767,500 | |
| August | $210,584,315 | 77.87 | $59,861,456 | 22.13 | $270,445,771 | |
| July | $212,871,833 | 79.03 | $56,482,943 | 20.97 | $269,354,776 | |
| June | $186,914,367 | 76.61 | $57,060,313 | 23.39 | $243,974,680 | |
| May | $212,457,169 | 79.37 | $55,224,988 | 20.63 | $267,682,157 | |
| April | $214,149,502 | 79.12 | $56,499,624 | 20.88 | $270,649,126 | |
| March | $233,147,479 | 79.28 | $60,919,496 | 20.72 | $294,066,975 | |
| February | $215,687,739 | 79.23 | $56,556,939 | 20.77 | $272,244,678 | |
| January | $190,517,561 | 78.24 | $52,980,494 | 21.76 | $243,498,055 | |
Within the period 2012-2015, slot machines have been the dominant source of revenue for gambling establishments in the state of Pennsylvania, with their average revenue share being 76.51%. Slots had the largest share of 79.37% in May 2012, while their lowest revenue share was at 73.27% in January 2015.
During the period in question, table games had an average revenue share of 23.49%, with the high being at 26.73% in January 2015 and the low – at 20.63% in May 2012.
In terms of gross gambling revenue, January 2014 has been the weakest month for gambling establishments, with total revenue being USD 230.630 million. On the other hand, the highest revenue figure of USD 296.718 million was reported in March 2013.
Pennsylvania’s total gambling revenue went up 4.14% in April 2015 compared to April 2014, up 1.45% in comparison with April 2013 and down a mere 0.03% compared to April 2012. In monthly terms, total gambling revenue decreased 2.49% in April 2015.
The state’s gross revenue from slot machines rose 4.11% in April 2015 compared to April 2014, up 0.36% in comparison with April 2013, but fell 3.85% compared to April 2012. In monthly terms, slot revenue went down 0.88% in April 2015.
Pennsylvania’s gross revenue from table games increased 4.24% in April 2015 compared to April 2014, up 5.09% in comparison with April 2013 and surged 14.49% compared to April 2012. On a monthly basis, however, table revenue slipped 7.29% in April 2015.
