Online gaming revenue continued to rise during pandemic

As the coronavirus pandemic continued in May, companies that operate online gaming in the state continued to see substantial increases according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

May revenue for online casino-type games — which include slot machines, table games and poker — jumped 30% over the previous month, according to the PGCB. Further emphasizing the significant increase in online play during the COVID-19

shutdown of casinos is the jump in revenue in just two months. The $55.8 million May figure was more than double the $24.8 million earned in March.

All casinos in the state had been shut down since midMarch. Three have since reopened with three more coming back this week.

“May was another challenging month for Pennsylvania’s gaming industry, but it appears that it will be the last month of online casinos and poker rooms being the only bearer of good news,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayPennsylvania. com, in a statement. “The casinos that have recently reopened appear to be experiencing relatively strong traffic, and sports bettors are finding increasingly more to bet on. Recovery for the entire industry will be a long road, but there are reasons for optimism.”

PlayPennsylvania said sportsbooks would have expected to accept more than $350 million in a typical May. Instead, online sportsbooks generated $77.5 million in wagers, up 68.4% from April’s $46 million handle, according to the PGCB. This during another month that again featured no retail sports betting, which would have generated nearly $40 million in a typical May, PlayPennsylvania estimated. In-person sports bets produced $35.9 million in May 2019, before online sports betting launched.

Overall gaming revenue was down 79% in May of this year compared to May 2019. Tax revenue from all forms of gaming in May was $25.7 million.

Total internet gaming revenue for casinos in the region were:

• Penn National — HollywoodCasino.com: $5.2 million.

• Penn National — DraftKings.com: $3.7 million.

• Rivers Casino, Philadelphia: $17.5 million.

• Valley Forge Casino Resort: $8.02 million.

• Harrah’s Philadelphia: $931,315.

Sports wagering revenue:

• Valley Forge Casino Resort: $2.5 million.

• Rivers Casino Philadelphia: $457,952.

• Parx Casino: $278,850.

• Harrah’s Philadelphia: $1,545.

Hollywood Casino at Penn National, Oaks Race & Sportsbook, South Philly Race & Sportsbook and Mohegan Sun Lehigh Valley reported no sports wagering revenue.