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Online gambling in PA is far from where it started. Pennsylvania’s gambling history is rich, with the earliest records of horse racing dating back to the country’s founding. However, the Pennsylvania gaming industry really started to boom in the early 21st century with the legalization of PA retail casinos. Here are the key details of the PA gambling industry and its regulations as they stand today.
| 1959 | Pennsylvania legalizes first form of gambling: parimutuel horse race wagering |
| March 2, 1972 | State sells first lottery ticket |
| July 2004 | Land-based gambling locations are legalized; PGCB is formed |
| 17 | # of land based gambling venues |
| 34 | # of online gambling sites |
| $2.6 billion | Tax revenue from online gambling in 2024 |
| $213 million | amount of charitable donations from gambling venues since 2007 |
| 17% | Percentage of PA adults who participated in online gambling in 2024 |
| 23% | Percentage of growth in the industrty online from 2023-2024 |
Explore the many resources available at PlayPennsylvania to help you navigate online gambling in PA. Explore each Pennsylvania online gambling option and the information we have available on each topic. From the best sites for online gambling in Pennsylvania to information on taxes and revenue from the industry, we’ve got you covered.
Stay up to date with the latest developments shaping the Pennsylvania online gambling landscape. From record-breaking revenue reports to major casino expansions, these trending stories highlight what’s happening right now in the Keystone State’s regulated gaming market.
For ongoing coverage, in-depth analysis, and expert breakdowns, explore our Pennsylvania gambling news hub and check back often for the latest updates.
Love Island: Unlocked debuts on FanDuel Casino in Pennsylvania with exclusive features and summer promotions
Two self-excluded gamblers had jackpot winnings confiscated and were cited for entering Pennsylvania casino properties
A new Pennsylvania skill games bill would require age verification, spending limits, and enhanced player protections
Live! Casino Pittsburgh unveils new slot machines, VIP perks, and a dedicated tournament zone after a $1.7 million investment
| Date | Key Trend |
|---|---|
| May 2026 | Pennsylvania regulators are urging the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to block sports event prediction markets, arguing they resemble unregulated sports betting and threaten state oversight. The PGCB says platforms like Kalshi and Robinhood bypass licensing, consumer protections, integrity monitoring required for sportsbooks. Regulators warn the CFTC lacks gambling expertise and that prediction markets create jurisdictional conflicts between federal and state authorities. Pennsylvania joins other states raising concerns over expanding sports-based prediction contracts. |
| April 2026 | Happy Valley Casino officially opened near Penn State, becoming Pennsylvania’s 18th casino after years of legal and regulatory delays. The $120 million Category 4 “mini-casino” features 600 slot machines, 30 table games, dining options and nearly 400 local jobs. Located inside the former Macy’s at Nittany Mall, the project is expected to boost economic activity in Centre County while expanding gaming access in central Pennsylvania. |
| April 2026 | A Pennsylvania lawmaker is proposing legislation to regulate skill games by prioritizing consumer protections. The plan would introduce safeguards like daily loss limits, mandatory breaks, and bans on deceptive features, while placing machines under state oversight. It also gives local governments control over placement as lawmakers continue debating how—or whether—to formally regulate the controversial, currently unregulated devices. |
| March 2026 | The PGCB fined BetMGM $100,000 for KYC failures tied to fraud rings, highlighting increased regulatory scrutiny around account verification and player protections. |
| March 2026 | The PokerStars transition into FanDuel Casino is nearing completion, with the PokerStars platform set to shut down April 1 — signaling further consolidation among major operators in Pennsylvania. |
| February 2026 | Pennsylvania online casino revenue for Feb. 2026 remained strong at $300.6 million, marking five straight months above $300M despite a slight dip — reinforcing iGaming’s dominance in the market. |
| March 2026 | Rep. Danilo Burgos plans on introducing a bill that would establish licensing, taxation and consumer protection rules for prediction market operators. In the memo, Burgos is proposing a 34% state tax and 2% local share assessment on gross revenue from prediction operators, which are to be regulated by the PGCB. Additional provisions would require operators follow anti-money laundering and know-your-customer rules, integrate with Pennsylvania’s self-exclusion list, and provide tools allowing users to set deposit and loss limits. |
| February 2026 | DraftKings closed in on FanDuel in the way of sports wagering handle in February. In a world where FanDuel used to dominate the market, it recorded 32.6% of market share, compared to DraftKings' 30.5%. March Madness is going to be a great indicator to see if DraftKings can catch FanDuel for the first time. |
| February 2026 | Gov. Josh Shapiro, once again, included skill games into his FY budget for 2026/2027. As he plans on taxing the machines at a 52% rate, Rep. Danilo Burgos introduced a second bill, which involves a monthly fee. It appears as if regulation is coming. The questions that loom is when and what will it look like? |
| February 2026 | Super Bowl excitement in 2026 did not reach the status of 2025, mainly because of the Philadelphia Eagles' wild-card loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Handle plunged 41.6% year-over-year, as operators made $18.1 million in revenue. The Eagles' win in 2025 costed platforms $6.5 million. |
| January 2026 | Federal prosecutors in a Philadelphia court charged 26 individuals that included massive point-shaving in college basketball. Philadelphia's La Salle University was mentioned in the report, however, not accused of any wrongdoing. This scandal threatens the integrity of sports across the country. |
| January 2026 | PA iGaming set a new record for year, generating $3.46 billion in 2025. To boot, the market also set a record in December, compiling $324.3 million. |
| December 2025 | Members of the PGCB testified in front of the Gaming Oversight Committee to argue the lack of consumer protections and safeguards of prediction markets. Those operators are not subject to any background checks or fairness testing, which is raises red flags to the PGCB. Prediction markets do not pose themselves as sports wagering, rather individuals purchasing financial contracts. The legal industry wants prediction markets either regulated or banned altogether. |
| November 2025 | For years, Governor Josh Shapiro has been attempting to regulate and tax skill games in the state. However, the PA budget for the next fiscal year does not contain provisions for skill games revenue. Many lawmakers have introduced bills to regulate the machines, but have yet to find common ground on a tax structure that works for small businesses and skill games owners, while also delivering revenue for the state. |
| September 2025 | Happy Valley Casino is set to become the 18th Pennsylvania casino in April 2026. The new property, owned by Saratoga Casino Holdings, had gone through years of litigation before the Supreme Court upheld the bid the PGCB awarded to SC Gaming back in 2020. The casino is set to open to open with 600 slots and 30 table games. |
PlayPennsylvania is committed to promoting safe, informed, and responsible gambling for all players. Whatever form of gambling you enjoy, it’s important to understand the tools and resources available to help you stay in control.
Pennsylvania offers a robust set of responsible gambling protections, including deposit and wagering limits, voluntary self-exclusion programs, and state-approved support resources for players who may need help. In this section, you’ll find clear guides on how to set limits at PA gambling sites, how self-exclusion works, and where to find confidential assistance if gambling stops being fun.
Our goal is to make responsible play easy to understand and accessible, while connecting players with trusted Pennsylvania-specific resources when they need them.
Pennsylvania is one of the most robust online gambling markets in the country, with a wide variety of options available. Whether you are an experienced gambler or you’re just getting started, you can rely on PlayPennsylvania for all the information you need, the available offers, the latest gambling industry news, and anything else you might need. And of course, no matter how you choose to participate in PA online gambling, always remember to gamble responsibly.
