The revenue generated by slot machines in the 12 casinos in the State of Pennsylvania was down slightly in 2017 to $2.33bn (€1.93bn or £1.72bn). The figures, which were presented by Pennsylvania’s Gaming Control Board, paint a fairly gloomy future for the bricks and mortar casino industry in the Keystone State.
In October, Pennsylvania State’s legislature passed a gambling reform package which could see the re-introduction of online casino games such as video slots and poker. The package is aimed at stimulating a casino market which has remained virtually stagnant since 2012.
Pennsylvania did enjoy a period of year-on-year growth after the introduction of the Unlawful Internet Gambling and Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in 2006. However, increased competition from neighbouring states has encouraged the Gaming Control Board in Pennsylvania to reconsider regulated online gambling.
As well as the controlled opening of online gambling in Pennsylvania, there are plans to increase the number of slot machines from the current number of around 26,000. This would allow the State to generate more tax revenue from casino gambling, which was calculated to be $1.1bn in 2017.