On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board released the figures for the month of January. The gaming website, calvinyre.com, received first this report and reference to that and other firsthand sources we’ve gone deeper to break it down.
In precise, the summary of these reports is that online and sports betting outdid themselves in January, while the slot games earned more than the table games. Well, the marginal difference is not that big. The statewide total revenue was over $300.8 million, a 17% increase from the same period last year, and up to $9 million from December’s total revenue.
Pennsylvania has 12 brick and mortar casinos. They all recorded an increase in revenue from the slot games, $190.3 million, up 5.8% year on year. Parx Casino recorded the highest revenue at $35.8 million, an 8% increase, while Rivers Casino Pittsburg came in second at $25 million, the rise of 7.1%.
The table games performed less impressively, with the revenue falling by 2.5% to $72.5 million. The worst performer was Wind Creek Bethlehem at $18.3 million, up 1.3%, while Parx was second at $16.5 million, up 1%.
There are seven online gambling operators in Pennsylvania who have been licensed. The seven generated total revenue of $14 million in January compared to the $10.6 million in December. Given the high tax rates imposed on online gambling, the state received its fair share of not less than $5 million.
The online slots were the highest earners at $7.2 million while the online table games earned $4.6 million. The online lone poker site earned the remaining $2.16 million, which was a decline from the $2.5 million earned in December.
Two new online operators have joined the industry in January. Valley Forge Casino launched on January 24 and generated $2.1 million in its first week. Presque Isle Downs opened its doors on January 30 and managed to earn less than $10,000 in 48 hours.
The sportsbooks recorded a new monthly high of $348.4 million, up from the $342.6 million in December. Valley Forge and its partner generated more than half of the January revenue ($156 million), while Meadows Racetrack & Casino and its partner came in second with $60.2 million. Rivers Philadelphia came in third with $35.7 million.
Analysts expect that the February numbers will take a major blow due to the end of yet another NFL season. This will not be the first time a major league is affecting the sportsbooks. This year, Pennsylvania sportsbooks recorded a $3.3 million loss during the Super Bowl.
Pennsylvania’s new video gaming terminals also recorded increased revenue in January of $1.1 million, a 27% rise from December. Fantasy contests recorded a revenue of $2.06 million, a 2.4% decline year on year.
Factoring in all-sourced revenue, Parx was the highest earner with $57.5 million, followed by Wind Creek with 438.2 million. Rivers Pittsburg came in third with $34.5 million, followed by Rivers Philadelphia with $31.9 million. Valley Forge was fifth with $21.7 million.
