Pennsylvania Reports Jump in Sports Betting Revenue for September

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has reported overall growth for its gaming sector in September, with a sizeable boost in taxable sports betting revenue.

Combined total gaming revenue was up 4.07% year-over-year to just over $555 million. Tax revenue was $242.6 million.

While some online gaming sectors recorded slight downturns, sports wagering revenue was up over 50%. Total revenue was $44.7 million, up from $29.7 million this time last year.

Sports Betting Revenue Up, Total Handle Down

There were mixed results from the PGCB for Pennsylvania’s sports betting outlets in September.

Total sports wagering handle was over $798 million. That marked a 6.09% drop compared to total handle in September 2025. However, taxable revenue was up.

There were some big wins for some of PA’s brick-and-mortar casinos.

Hollywood Casino at the Meadows recorded over $252 million in total handle and $12.6 in combined revenue for retail and online. That marked a huge 207% increase on the same month last year.

Even bigger was Hollywood Casino York, which reported an 824.22% jump year-over-year to $3.1 million.

For Pennsylvania online casinos, total iGaming revenue was $249.3 million, marking a 6.82% increase year-over-year.

Gaming Revenue in PA for September 2026: Winners & Losers

• Sports Betting: +50.45% ($44.7 million)
• Online Slots: +8.99% ($197.3 million)
• Retail Slots: +2.44% ($196.1 million)
• Fantasy Contests: -23.75% ($1.49 million)
• Online Poker: -1.76% ($2.2 million)
• Retail Table Games: -18.07% ($60.1 million)

Online Betting, NFL Season Could Have Sparked Jump

The rise in online sports betting for Pennsylvania’s casinos seems to be behind the jump in taxable revenue. Plus, all regulated sportsbooks are busy fighting an existential threat from prediction markets which are growing in popularity.

The NFL season started in September, with many online sportsbooks keen to cash in with targeted promos.

Fanatics, which made Pennsylvania its 11th active state two years ago, is making a huge promotional push in regulated states. The sportsbook announced a $1 billion spend on advertising as it tries to catch up with DraftKings and FanDuel.

While online and mobile sports betting is up, other verticals haven’t suffered so well.

There was an overall drop in Daily Fantasy Sports contests year-over-year in PA. Fantasy revenue was down 23.75% year-over-year, with every operator bar Fantasy Sports Games LLC recording a downturn in September.

Sports Betting Numbers Healthy Despite Predictions Rivalry

The PGCB has been fighting against the rise of prediction markets in Pennsylvania.

PA was one of the first adopters of regulated online gambling and wants to see prediction markets regulated internally. Currently, sites like Kalshi and Polymarket are regulated by the CFTC, out of the jurisdiction of gaming commissions like the PGCB.

Predictions newcomer Novig recorded a 94% surge in activity as the new NFL season got underway last month. However, that could also have had something to do with Sydney Sweeney appearing in Novig’s controversial ad campaign.

Despite states like Pennsylvania having legitimate beefs with the prediction exchanges, the overall sports betting industry seems healthy.

Skill Games Ban in, Sweepstakes in Doubt

The PGCB has been busy solidifying its legal gaming framework, with skill games the latest to feel the regulatory force.

Under new proposals, skill game machines have been banned entirely, with sweepstakes prohibition still in the works.

A proliferation of unlicensed skill games, that resemble traditional slot machines, has led the board to act. Whether PA gamblers move on to online sports betting instead remains to be seen.