Pennsylvania Casinos Hit $297.7 Million Revenue, New Law Introduced to Limit Slot Machines

Pennsylvania casinos generated $297.7 million last month, a steady increase of 1.9% compared to last year’s figure of $292.1 million. 

As casinos continue to post steady results, senators in Pennsylvania have also lowered the number of slot machines a venue is required to have to give casinos more flexibility in what they can offer to their guests. 

This comes as the Pennsylvania Senate is also attempting to increase taxes on skill games to $500 monthly per terminal, as well as limit the amount of terminals statewide to 50,000. 

It was first introduced by State Senator Gene Yaw, who orginally suggested taxing the games at 16%, however it has since changed. Chairman of the House Gaming Oversight Committee Pat Harkins has stated that they do not believe that the proposal will progress, as skill games are competition for the lottery and casinos. 

Others argue that the introduction of the tax would destroy small businesses.

Parx Casino Leads the Way in August

The figures, published by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, show that slot machine revenue totaled $$216.6 million in August, up 2.6% year-on-year from $211.1 million. Table games remained flat last month, reporting revenue of $81.1 million, a minor rise of 0.1% from $80.95 million. 

Out of the 17 casino venues, 11 showed a revenue increase year-on-year, including the market leader Parx Casino, which generated $51.5 million this year, up 7.01% on the 2024 figure. This was followed by Win Creek Bethlehem, which generated $47.8 million last month, another steady rise from $47.6 million recorded last year. 

The three Hollywood Casinos: The Meadows, Morgantown, and York, all showed significant revenue rises, though the biggest improvement was at the Mount Airy Casino Resort, which increased its revenue by 10.96% from $17.1 million to $18.9 million. Six of the casinos also showed losses, with the most dramatic being an 11.92% drop in revenue at Live! Casino Philadelphia. 

Pennsylvania Senate Approves Slot Machine Requirement Reduction

Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Senate has passed a bill that lowers the minimum number of slot machines that casinos are forced to maintain.

The bill is aimed at modernizing rules that critics say no longer reflect gambling trends, including the rise of online gambling. Unlike traditional casinos, online casinos aren’t constrained by floor space or machine counts, and the growth of online raffles and contests, which mix elements of luck and skill, has also highlighted the need for regulatory updates.

Under current law, casinos have to keep a set number of machines on the floor. The legislation removes this restriction, allowing them to reallocate space toward more popular gambling products such as table games and sportsbooks, or to dining and entertainment. 

Opponents raised the issue of job losses or reduced tax revenue, but supporters of the bill said that it gave Pennsylvania casinos the crucial flexibility that they needed to stay competitive. 

The bill was passed in the Senate with strong support and now goes to the House. If it is finally passed, it could lead to a significant change in the way that casinos in the state arrange their products in an industry that is becoming increasingly competitive.