Pennsylvania: Gaming and tax revenue set records in 2021

January 20, 2022 8:27 PM
  • Rege Behe, CDC Gaming Reports
January 20, 2022 8:27 PM
  • Rege Behe, CDC Gaming Reports

From Pittsburgh to Philadelphia and at all stops in between, gaming continues to thrive in the Keystone State.

Story continues below

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Thursday reported $4.73 billion in gaming revenue for 2021, a new annual record. Tax revenue from gaming also was an all-time high at $1.93 billion.

While gaming revenue dipped in December to $406.3 million, down from November’s $432.5 million, the state set monthly revenue records in six months in 2021.

PGCB communications director Douglas Harbach attributed the banner year to two factors.

“One was the opening of three additional casinos during the year which continued to project solid slot machine revenue and also led to a record revenue amount for table games,” Harbach said via email. “Second, the continued growth in the play of casino-type games and sports wagering via the internet.

Sports wagering revenue for 2021 was $340.1 million, and igaming generated $1.11 billion, both yearly records.

The records come a year after Pennsylvania gaming revenue dipped to $2.65 billion because of restrictions and closings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The previous record revenue was reported in 2019, $3.41 billion.

Hollywood Casino at Penn National in Grantville recorded the most revenue in December for the second consecutive month, with $58.8 million. Parx Casino in Philadelphia generated $55.5 million, and Rivers Casino Philadelphia $44.7 million.

Slot revenue generated the highest total of all forms of gaming, with $$195.5 million, a 363.3% increase over the $42.3 million from December 2020. Parx led with $33.6 million in slot revenue, followed by Rivers Casino Pittsburgh ($22.8 million) and Wind Creek Bethlehem ($21.8 million).

Pennsylvania igaming revenue was $101.1 million, an increase from the $93.9 million generated in November 2021. Hollywood Casino at Penn National generated $40.5 million in igaming revenue. Rivers Casino Philadelphia with $26.1 million, and Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia with $18.5 million, rounded out the top 3 igaming revenue generators.

December sports betting revenue reached $18.8 million, with a total handle of $750.4 million. Both figures are decreases from November when sports betting revenue reached $63.7 million, and the total handle was $761.6 million.

Valley Forge’s total handle of $249.7 and revenue of $7.9 million from sports betting led all operators in Pennsylvania. Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Meadowlands had a total handle of $206.4 million and revenue of $4.6 million. Hollywood Casino at Penn National’s handle was $63.1 million, with $2.65 million in revenue.