Pennsylvania Second-Richest Gaming State in 2022, Edges New Jersey by $28K

Posted on: January 18, 2023, 05:48h. 

Last updated on: February 20, 2023, 09:40h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More

Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

Pennsylvania was the nation’s second-richest gaming state in 2022. But only by the slimmest of margins.

A day after New Jersey revealed that its full-year gaming revenue totaled a little more than $5.2 billion, state gaming regulators in Pennsylvania said revenue there also totaled $5.2 billion. With Nevada far and away the nation’s richest gaming state, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have been battling for the honor of second-best over the past few years.

While New Jersey managed to retain its runner-up status in 2021 by topping Pennsylvania by about $2.6 million — $4.737 billion in NJ to $4.734 billion in Pennsylvania — the Keystone State finally unseated its neighboring rival in 2022.

New Jersey’s official 2022 gaming tally was $5,211,274,456. That includes retail casinos in Atlantic City, retail and online sports betting, and iGaming and interactive poker.

Pennsylvania’s official 2022 gaming tally was $5,211,303,191. That includes income from the state’s casinos, iGaming, in-person and online sports betting, video gaming terminals, and fantasy sports.

The difference between the two states: $28,735.

Banner Year

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) unveiled the state gaming industry numbers today. The $5.21 billion won across the industry easily bested the state’s previous best mark of $4.73 billion, set only a year ago.

Though still relatively new legal formats, the PGCB said iGaming, sports wagering, and VGTs each set annual revenue records in 2022. But so did table games, which have been operating in the commonwealth since July 2010.

The record revenue resulted in record tax revenue of $2.12 billion — a $191.7 million year-over-year premium.

Parx Casino near Philadelphia was the richest brick-and-mortar property of the 16 casinos. Parx won $393.8 million on its slot machines and another $243.7 million on its felt, for a combined haul of approximately $637.5 million.

Wind Creek Bethlehem, which was the top table earner at $242.7 million, came in second in land-based gross gaming revenue (GGR) with $272 million from its slots, for a total win of $514.7 million.

Further Expansion Ahead

Pennsylvania is the second-richest gaming state, but the commonwealth won’t take the top spot anytime soon — or likely, ever. Nevada will easily continue its reign, as gaming revenue through 11 months in 2022 totaled more than $13.5 billion. Nevada has not yet released December and full-year numbers.

Pennsylvania could be poised for further gaming growth. VGTs continue to expand into new diesel truck stops, as convenience stores like Rutter’s continue to seek approvals for additional locations.

Another mini-casino is being planned for State College. But that license remains tangled in a legal dispute.