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Pennsylvania’s online gambling market continues its steady growth, and with it a rise in problem-gambling indicators like calls to the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline and enrollment in self-exclusion programs, according to the 2025 Pennsylvania Interactive Gaming Assessment: Online Gambling Report released earlier this year.
The study, conducted by researchers at Penn State University’s Social Science Research Institute under contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, finds that more Pennsylvanians are gambling online, particularly through interactive gaming formats such as PA online casinos and PA sports betting.
As participation rises, so do calls to support services and voluntary efforts to limit access for individuals struggling with gambling behaviors.
Online gambling participation up significantly
The Penn State report, based on a survey of more than 1,400 Pennsylvania adults, shows that roughly 20% of adults gambled online over the past year – up from 16% in the previous assessment – reflecting an expanding legal online market.
During the 2023–24 fiscal period, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board reported more than $2.1 billion in cumulative online gaming revenue, a near-5% increase over the prior year.
Sports wagering remains the most popular form of online wagering for the fifth straight year. Lotteries continue to lead offline gambling participation. Among online gamblers, a sizeable share also reported activity on illegal or unregulated websites, a trend the report flags as a risk factor.
Helpline demand rises with online play
A significant finding of the report and subsequent coverage: Calls to Pennsylvania’s 1-800-GAMBLER helpline have increased alongside online gambling participation. The report notes that nearly half of all intake calls now mention online gambling as a factor, underscoring how digital wagering is driving demand for support services.
Survey participants that gamble online increased to 30% in 2024/2025, compared to 17% in 2023/2024.
The number of intake calls increased 3.2% in 2024/2025 compared to 2023/2024. The amount of calls just related to online gambling grew at a 5% rate.
Experts point out that this trend reflects both increased gambling activity and greater awareness of available help.
As lead author Glenn Sterner of Penn State said in the press release: “This year’s report highlights the need for ongoing monitoring of online gambling in Pennsylvania” and continued education on risks, including from illegal sites.
Self-exclusion enrollment surges
In tandem with rising helpline calls, Pennsylvania’s self-exclusion program – which allows people to voluntarily remove themselves from legal gambling venues and platforms – has also grown significantly. The PGCB’s self-exclusion initiative covers casinos, online gambling, video gaming terminals, and fantasy contests.
Annual figures show strong increases in self-exclusion enrollment, with thousands of Pennsylvanians choosing one-year, five-year, or lifetime bans from gambling in an effort to control their gambling habits. The report offered these statistics in relation to iGaming:
“During the 2024/2025 fiscal period, the iGaming self-exclusion list saw 4,403 new enrollments, bringing the total number of enrollments to 11,195. This was a nearly 65% increase in the number of self-exclusions over the 2023/2024 period, in which the total number of enrollments in the program was 6,792.”
Self-exclusion is intended as a critical responsible gambling tool, but challenges remain in enforcement – particularly online – since the system largely depends on operators, surveillance, and identity checks to keep self-excluded players off platforms and out of casinos.
Balancing growth and responsible play
Penn State’s report also highlights how problem gambling risk is higher among individuals who participate in multiple forms of gambling, especially mixed-mode players who gamble both online and offline. This finding reinforces calls from regulators and health professionals for targeted interventions that focus on high-risk groups.
Latika Davis-Jones, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, emphasized that the research helps guide efforts to expand 1-800-GAMBLER services, raise awareness of treatment and resources, and inform responsible gambling strategies as participation grows.
Resources for Pennsylvanians
For those concerned about their gambling behavior or that of a loved one:
- Call 1-800-GAMBLER for free, confidential support, counseling referrals, and treatment resource information.
- Enroll in the PGCB Self-exclusion Program via the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s responsible play portal to voluntarily ban yourself from casinos, online gambling, and other wagering formats.
As Pennsylvania’s online gambling market continues to expand, regulators and advocates say awareness of support services and responsible play tools remain essential to mitigate harm and help residents stay safe while enjoying legalized gambling.
