Pennsylvania Gaming Revenue Hits Record $625.5M in May 2026

Pennsylvania’s gaming industry reached a new milestone in May 2026, setting an all-time monthly revenue record of $625.5 million, according to the latest report from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB).

This marks a 3.93% increase compared to May 2025 and highlights the continued strength of the state’s diverse gaming market, especially in online casino play.

We’ve been watching this play out since early this year.

Key Highlights from May 2026

• Total revenue: $625,467,775
• Year-over-year growth: +3.93%
• Previous record: $623.1 million (January 2025)
• Tax revenue generated: Approximately $269.95 million

Pennsylvania remains one of the top gaming markets in the United States. In fact, Pennsylvania online casino bonus codes make it easy to get started. It’s part of the reason The Keystone State consistently generates hundreds of millions in monthly tax revenue to support public programs.

iGaming Leads Growth Again

Online gaming, also known as iGaming, was the biggest driver of growth in May.

• iGaming total: $254.83 million (+9.44%)
• Online slots: $202.5 million (+14.28%)

Online slots alone accounted for the majority of iGaming revenue, showing strong player demand and continued digital expansion across the state.

Retail slots still held the top spot overall, bringing in $232.06 million, but growth in this segment was more modest at +3.20%.

Mixed Results Across Gaming Segments

Not all sectors saw gains in May, with some traditional and betting categories declining.

• Retail table games: $81.24 million (+1.66%)
• Sports wagering: $52.64 million (-11.40%)
• VGTs (truck stop gaming): $3.57 million (-3.14%)
• Fantasy contests: $1.12 million (+3.30%)
• iGaming poker: $2.48 million (-9.70%)

Sports betting had a weaker month overall, with both handle and revenue down year-over-year. This reflects broader volatility seen across U.S. betting markets in 2026.

Top Performing Casinos

Several properties stood out for strong performance in May:

• Hollywood Casino at Penn National: $115.5 million (+7.81%)
• Valley Forge Casino Resort: $104.6 million (-1.17%)
• Rivers Casino Philadelphia: $60.5 million (+3.74%)
• Parx Casino: $60.1 million (+1.68%)

Newer and smaller operators also made an impact. Bally’s Pennsylvania posted an impressive +80.64% increase, while Happy Valley Casino, which opened in April 2026, contributed fresh revenue to the market.

Pennsylvania vs. New Jersey: May 2026 Comparison

Pennsylvania and New Jersey remain the two dominant gaming markets in the Northeast, with nearly identical totals in May.

• New Jersey: $627.1 million (+2.0%)
• Pennsylvania: $625.5 million (+3.93%)

While New Jersey slightly edged out Pennsylvania in total revenue, and had a big month in April.  Pennsylvania showed stronger year-over-year growth and set a new state record.

New Jersey online casinos are always a factor in the discussion, too.

Key Differences

• iGaming:

  • New Jersey: $276.3 million (+11.9%)

  • Pennsylvania: $254.8 million (+9.44%)

• Retail casinos:

  • New Jersey: $265.6 million (+0.1%)

  • Pennsylvania: Stronger combined growth across slots and tables

• Sports betting:

  • New Jersey: $85.2 million (-16.9%)

  • Pennsylvania: $52.6 million (-11.4%)

When it comes to sports betting, New Jersey is might implement tighter rules on prop betting. Pennsylvania also benefits from additional revenue streams like VGTs and consistently generates higher tax revenue due to its elevated tax rates.

Why Pennsylvania’s Market Keeps Growing

Several factors continue to drive growth in Pennsylvania’s gaming industry:

• Strong iGaming adoption and competition among operators
• A wide network of retail casinos across the state
• Additional revenue channels like VGTs
• High tax rates that maximize state revenue
• Ongoing expansion with new properties entering the market

This balanced ecosystem allows Pennsylvania to remain competitive with New Jersey while often leading in total tax generation.

Outlook for 2026

May’s record-setting performance reinforces a broader trend of steady growth in Pennsylvania gaming, particularly in online segments. While retail gaming remains stable, digital channels are clearly shaping the future of the market.

If current trends continue, Pennsylvania could challenge for the top spot in total U.S. gaming revenue again in 2026, especially as new properties and platforms gain traction.