Pennsylvania’s gambling industry revenue reaches record high

HARRISBURG (AP) — Revenue from regulated gambling in Pennsylvania climbed to a new record high above $3.3 billion in the just-completed fiscal year.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board said Thursday that revenue rose by nearly $60 million, or almost 2%, over the 2018 fiscal year.

Slot machine play at the state’s 12 casinos grew by $26 million and newly legal sports betting and fantasy sports contests contributed another $43 million. Table games play shrank by $10 million.

Online casino gambling is just starting, as Pennsylvania mounts an aggressive gambling expansion to help shore up its treasury.

American Gaming Association figures show that revenue at Pennsylvania’s commercial casinos was No. 2 in the nation last year, second to Nevada.

Pennsylvania is No. 1 in tax revenue from casino gambling, netting $1.5 billion last year.