Online casino operators know that Pennsylvania is the top market in the US, and, if they play their cards right, they can, essentially, print money. So, which operators currently not in PA are most likely to try to launch in the Keystone State? PlayPennsylvania assesses the horses and handicaps the four most likely.
These are operators primed for expansion, and Pennsylvania is a particularly attractive jurisdiction.
PA online casinos have produced $849.8 million in revenue so far in 2024, which comfortably leads the nation over rival states such as New Jersey and Michigan.
Here’s our list of the operators most likely to come to Pennsylvania, potentially as early as 2024:
1. bet365: -2000
According to Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Communications Director, Doug Harbach, bet365 Casino PA can launch at any time. Harbach told PlayPennsylvania that the operator has not been fully licensed in the Keystone State, But, it has been given interim authorization.
That said, it’s important to note that bet365 is not currently operating in Pennsylvania.
Harbach did not provide a timeline on the licensing status. However, he did say that bet365, “can fully operate when ready under the interim authorization.” So, that means bet365 could arrive at any time.
Bet365 had been eyeing the Pennsylvania market for quite some time, after partnering with Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) in January 2023.
It quickly applied for a sports betting and online casino casino license in February 2023.
That’s why PlayPennsylvania believes bet365 is most likely to be the state’s newest online casino and sportsbook operator.
Bet365 offers a sportsbook in 11 states and an online casino in just one, in neighboring New Jersey. The operator has been in the Garden State with both platforms since 2019. That allows us to get a sense of how bet365 may perform in Pennsylvnaia.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement started breaking down revenue by operator this year. Bet365 has totaled $4.9 million in revenue through April 2024.
The operator ranks 19th out of 31 online casinos in the Garden State. While the Keystone State has 22 operators, and bet365 would likely be in the bottom half to start. However, it doesn’t mean expansion would be a failure.
Online casinos are particularly lucrative and bet365 is an experienced online gambling platform with huge success in Europe.
In addition, bet365 Sportsbook PA would also become one of 14 sports betting apps in the state upon launching.
2. Betr: -300
Betr CEO Joey Levy confirmed at a virtual event last week that the operator is coming to the Keystone State with a sports betting and online casino platform.
Earlier this year, PlayPennsylvania reported that Betr gained market access in Pennsylvania to be able to launch both products.
Betr currently operates a sportsbook in Ohio and Virginia. It recently pulled out of Massachusetts earlier this year. Pennsylvania would be the location for the company’s first online casino.
Levy said the sportsbook would come first in the Keystone State, before the upcoming NFL season. Depending on bet365’s launch, Betr would become one of 14 or 15 PA online sportsbooks.
3. PlayStar: +250
PlayPennsylvania reported last October that PlayStar appeared to be one of the next online casino operators in the Keystone State. However, the PGCB said that PlayStar is currently on hold with no timeline of moving forward.
Harbach provided the same updated on Thursday as he did last year.
“There has been no action on the part of PlayStar,” he said.
Harbach also said that the operator would have to get back in contact with the PGCB to inform them of future plans before moving forward.
PlayStar has accumulated $7.2 million in 2024 earnings through April in New Jersey. It would likely be a profitable operator in the Keystone State.
While the PA door remains open, PlayStar does not seem to be walking through it anytime soon.
4. Hard Rock: +1000
Hard Rock is eyeing expansion. It purchased 888’s assets in March, according to PlayMichigan. However, the acquisition suggests that Michigan is on top of Hard Rock’s list in terms of market access.
Hard Rock did not provide PlayMichigan with any information or a timeline of a potential launch in the Great Lakes State. Despite that, it would be smart for Hard Rock to expand to either Michigan or Pennsylvania — or both.
Operating an online casino in New Jersey, Hard Rock has produced $34.6 million in 2024, which ranks sixth.
Hard Rock coming to Pennsylvania would enhance the market even more.
Each of these platforms would be a welcome addition to the Keystone State, helping solidify it is the top market in the US.
