Pennsylvania’s roster of igaming entrants grew to seven in January, as analysts at PlayPennsylvania.com warn that the region’s sports wagering scene “still has much ground to gain to catch New Jersey and Nevada”.
Total revenue generated across the Commonwealth shows a 16.9 per cent increase in January to $302.8m (2018: $258.9), with Parx Casino leading the way $57.5m, representing a 13.2 per cent drop from $50.7m.
Wind Creek Bethlehem, the only property to record an overall drop, dipped 2.8 per cent from $39.3m to $38.2m, to remain second ahead of Rivers Casino Pittsburgh’s $34.5m, a 10.6 per cent jump from $31.1m.
Rivers Casino Philadelphia led the way in the online casino market with revenue of $3.54m, narrowly ahead of Mount Airy Casino Resort, the only entrant to capture the internet poker market thanks to an agreement with The Stars Group, with $3.48m. Total igaming revenue grew 31.4 per cent month-on-month from $10.6m to $13.9m.
With the number of entities occupying the space growing, FanDuel Casino, in partnership with Valley Forge Casino Resort generated $2.08m revenues, with BetAmerica, via a Presque Isle Downs and Casino link-up, debuting too late to make a major impact.
“The online casino market should get a real jolt from FanDuel’s entrance,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayPennsylvania.com. “Integrated within FanDuel’s market-leading sportsbook app, the FanDuel Casino is ideally positioned to leverage its success as a sportsbook into success as an online casino.”
Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks accepted a record $348.4m in wagers in January, breaking $342.6m set in December, and up dramatically from $32m a year earlier. $308.6m, or 88.6 per cent, of the state’s monthly handle came via online.
“Pennsylvania’s momentum is growing, and January shows that the state’s sportsbooks can sustain it even as the NFL season winds down,” added Dustin Gouker.
“Pennsylvania will likely remain the nation’s number three market for the foreseeable future. But it is becoming clearer that it will one day challenge Nevada and New Jersey as the largest legal sports betting market in the US.”