Gambling in the USA
PlayPennsylvania.com: Sportsbooks cool with $500 million in February

Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks slowed in February but still surpassed $500 million in wagers for the third consecutive month, while online casinos tallied nearly $80 million in revenue in February. Though February brought largely good news to Pennsylvania, it was still the state’s lowest handle since November while online casino revenue fell behind Michigan, according to PlayPennsylvania.com, which provides news and analysis of the state’s gaming industry.
“With just 28 days and a schedule with one NFL game, even if that game is the Super Bowl, a pullback from January to February is expected,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayPennsylvania.com. “Pennsylvania remains one of the strongest markets in the U.S., and March Madness will almost certainly put the state back on the upswing.”
In total, Pennsylvania’s online and retail sportsbooks collected $509.5 million in bets, according to official data released Tuesday. That was up 54.5% from $329.8 million in February 2020, though off from the record $615.3 million in bets in January.
February’s bets produced $16.4 million in taxable revenue, up 246.9% from $4.7 million in February 2020, yielding $5.6 million in state taxes and $327,596 in local share assessments.
The Super Bowl generated $53.6 million in wagers alone, but even the largest single game in terms of wagering of the year is not enough to replace a robust NFL schedule. The expected month-over-month dip from January to February will likely keep Pennsylvania from surpassing Nevada as the nation’s No. 2 market, something the Keystone State nearly did in January.
“Pennsylvania continues to post strong results month after month, but Nevada is a more event-driven market so the Super Bowl handle there is typically the nation’s highest,” Gouker said. “But at the current trajectory of both markets, it seems it’s not if but when Pennsylvania will become the nation’s No. 2 market.”
Online sports betting produced 92.2%, or $469.7 million, of February’s handle, down from 94.3% in January as retail sportsbooks continued to slowly rebound.
FanDuel Sportsbook/Valley Forge Casino led the market with $176.3 million in online bets, down from $220.7 million in January. Those bets produced $7.3 million in taxable revenue. DraftKings/The Meadows was second with $111.7 million in bets, down from $143.5 million in January, yielding $3 million in taxable revenue.
The Barstool-branded Penn National/Hollywood Casino app continues to be a major player, finishing February in third with $65.6 million, up from $65 million in January. It managed to gross $5.1 million in revenue, but heavy promotion led to a $726,040 loss in taxable revenue.
The leaders were followed by:
- BetMGM/Hollywood Morgantown ($33.7 million handle, down from $39.3 million; $2 million, down from $33,148)
- BetRivers/Rivers-Pittsburgh ($20.4 million handle, down from $26.8 million; $1.4 million revenue, up from $1.3 million)
- Fox Bet/Mount Airy ($18 million handle, down from $26.6 million; $1.3 million, down from $2.5 million)
- Parx Casino ($17.7 million handle, down from $22.8 million; $1.6 million revenue, down from $1.8 million)
- PlaySugarHouse/Rivers-Philadelphia ($14.6 million handle, down from $20.8 million; $957,245 in revenue, down from $1.4 million)
- Unibet/Mohegan Sun Pocono ($7.5 million handle, down from $10 million; $416,533 revenue, up from $377,770)
- Betfred/Wind Creek ($1.7 million handle, up from $1.5 million; $50,386 revenue, down from $208,275)
- BetAmerica/Presque Isle Downs ($1.3 million handle, down from $1.7 million; $5,496 revenue, up from -$81,367)
- Caesars/Harrah’s ($1.1 million handle, down from $1.3 million; $3,541 revenue, down from $36,506)
Retail sportsbooks generated a $39.8 million handle, up from $35.4 million in January. Sportsbooks won $3 million on February’s bets. The top retail sportsbook was Rivers-Philadelphia with $7.7 million in bets.
“Retail sportsbooks still have some time to go before they are back to normal, but with COVID infections dropping as vaccination levels rise, better days are hopefully not far away,” said Valerie Cross, analyst for PlayPennsylvania.com. “In the online market, though, Barstool continues to make progress, keeping handle steady, but it took a huge promotional spend to do it.”
Online casinos and poker
Online casinos and poker rooms generated $77.8 million in gross revenue in February, which was down slightly from $80.4 million in January revenue. But that is mostly good news, as online casinos and poker rooms actually raised revenue to $2.8 million per day over the 28 days in February from $2.6 million per day in January.
The revenue yielded $21 million in state taxes and another $10.7 million in local share assessments and county grants.
Despite a record for per-day revenue, Pennsylvania is now the third-largest online casino market in the U.S. after Michigan tallied $79.7 million in its first full month of online casinos and poker.
“Pennsylvania’s online casinos are in a very good place,” Cross said. “Pennsylvania’s fall to No. 3 says more about Michigan’s rapid ascent than it does about anything in the Keystone State. Online casinos will continue to be a most reliable revenue generator for the state for the foreseeable future.”
For more information on the revenue generated by Pennsylvania, visit www.playpennsylvania.com/revenue.
Gambling in the USA
BMM INNOVATION GROUP SHOWCASES ITS SUPPORT FOR TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY AT INDIAN GAMING CONFERENCE & EXPO MARCH 31 – APRIL 3 AT SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER

Company to sponsor, attend, and speak at the San Diego, California show.
BMM Innovation Group (“BMM,” “BIG Group,” or “BIG”), a technology conglomerate focused on product compliance testing, cybersecurity solutions, and virtual training for the global gaming industry, today announced its sponsorship and participation in the Indian Gaming Association’s (“IGA”) annual IGA Conference & Expo, March 31-April 3 at the San Diego Convention Center.
With over three decades of experience supporting Tribal gaming, BIG will be on-site as sponsors, speakers, and attendees to reinforce the Company’s steadfast commitment to Tribal sovereignty and self-regulation.
Proud Partners in Tribal Progress
The BIG Group’s Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer Martin Storm said, “BMM proudly partners with Tribal governments, Tribal casinos, and Tribal gaming equipment and technology suppliers to advance Tribal sovereignty, self-determination, and economic development. We are honored to continue supporting the growth and integrity of Tribal gaming through our trusted product compliance services, world-class training and virtual education, and our cybersecurity solutions to protect Tribal enterprises.”
BMM’s long-standing relationships with Tribal gaming suppliers and regulators are at the heart of its mission. As active members of IGA and other key Tribal organizations, BIG is committed to elevating Tribal voices and ensuring Tribal interests remain at the forefront of industry growth.
BIG Group Shares Thought Leadership on Conference Panels and Trainings
- In addition to sponsoring and attending, the BIG Group’s expert thought leaders will speak and provide in-person training at the conference:
- Tuesday, April 1 at 9 am: Innovation vs. Regulation: Keep Pace with Emerging Gaming Technologies – Sean Mason, Senior Director of Tribal Services
- Tuesday, April 1 at 4 pm: Gaming and Cyber Risk Best Practices – Mitigate Risk and Sleep Better at Night – Heather Lee, Senior Director of Sales for BIG Cyber
- Wednesday, April 2 at 9 am: Level III Commissioner Certification Training – Peter Nikiper, Director of Technical Compliance
Unmatched Expertise in Product Compliance and Certification
As a trusted testing laboratory for Tribal gaming jurisdictions across North America, BMM’s focus is fairness, integrity, and security in every gaming environment. IGA attendees are invited to connect with BMM experts to learn more about the Company’s comprehensive product compliance programs.
Education & Training for Long-Term Success
BIG continues to empower Tribal gaming employees through exclusive education and training programs, including free access to RG24seven Virtual Training. These knowledge-sharing initiatives are designed to support responsible gaming, regulatory compliance, and the long-term sustainability of Tribal gaming operations.
Cybersecurity Solutions Tailored for Tribal Gaming
The BIG Group is focused on bolstering cybersecurity defenses for Tribal enterprises through its BIG Cyber services, which includes penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, PCI:DSS evaluations, and a host of managed security services featuring CYREBRO’s Security Operations Center, KnowBe4’s security awareness training, and Maxxsure’s risk management platform.
Gambling in the USA
Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies Break Ground on New Live! Casino & Hotel in Petersburg, Virginia

Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies celebrated the groundbreaking of the new LIVE! CASINO & HOTEL VIRGINIA in Petersburg. The milestone officially commences construction on a transformative project that will generate billions of dollars in economic benefits and spinoff development, create thousands of new jobs, and set a new standard for gaming, hotels, and entertainment in the Commonwealth. Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia is part of a larger $1.4 billion master plan by the partnership, scheduled to be developed in phases, that will bring a world-class mixed-use resort destination to Petersburg.
Executives from Bruce Smith Enterprise, The Cordish Companies, and Cordish Gaming were joined by Petersburg City Mayor Sam Parham and members of Petersburg City Council, Virginia State Senator Lashrecse Aird, Virginia State Delegate Kim Taylor, and many other business and community leaders at the project site in Petersburg. The development site, ideally located on Brasfield Parkway at the intersection of Wagner Road and Interstate I-95 just 20 miles south of Richmond, will provide easy access on and off the East Coast’s major north-south interstate.
“It has been a source of immense satisfaction and pride to partner in this incredible development. For far too long people have simply driven by the City of Petersburg, but today marks the beginning of a new era in which Petersburg will become a prime destination. This pivotal project will ignite tourism, create jobs, and ultimately deliver on the promise of greater opportunity and upward mobility for local families. As a champion of Petersburg and its residents, I am happily confident that this historic development will uplift, empower, and enrich this community for years to come,” said Bruce Smith, founder of Bruce Smith Enterprise.
Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia is slated to open in 2027. A temporary gaming facility will open by the end of 2025 to immediately begin creating an estimated 500 new jobs, vendor opportunities and economic benefits for the City. In its first 10 years, the project is expected to generate $2.8 billion in economic stimulus to the region; $504 million in tax revenues including $240 million to the City of Petersburg; $802 million in economic benefits during construction; $201 million in annual economic benefits each year after opening; and 7500 new jobs including 6100 during construction and 1400 new permanent jobs.
“Today marks a monumental day for The Cordish Companies as we expand our Live! brand into the Central Virginia region with the development of Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia. Our company is a national leader in successfully developing and managing large-scale urban revitalization projects across the country. Live! Casino & Hotel will be a transformative development that will bring a world-class gaming and entertainment experience to millions of visitors, create significant new jobs, and generate millions of dollars in economic benefits for the community that will provide a beneficial impact for generations. We look forward to making an immediate impact on the region with the construction of a temporary gaming facility that will be operational before the end of 2025, so that we can begin creating jobs, vendor opportunities and economic benefits for the City,” said Zed Smith, Chief Operating Officer for The Cordish Companies.
Gambling in the USA
PENN Entertainment Launches Stand-alone Hollywood Casino App in New Jersey

PENN Entertainment announced that its stand-alone Hollywood Casino app has launched in New Jersey. The new Hollywood Casino platform is available on Android, iOS, and desktop and can also be accessed via the ESPN BET app. Customers can login to Hollywood Casino using their ESPN BET credentials, allowing for a seamless experience across PENN’s online betting and casino platforms.
Ranked by Eilers & Krejcik as the #2 overall iCasino product in the US, Hollywood Casino offers a variety of online slots, table games, and live dealer content, including original titles from PENN Game Studios, the company’s in-house casino game development studio. Hollywood Casino also includes bespoke live dealer tables and exclusive games such as the recently launched Devils Blackjack, an original title leveraging PENN’s partnership with the New Jersey Devils.
“We’re thrilled to introduce our dedicated, casino-first experience to customers across New Jersey. Hollywood Casino delivers a best-in-class experience with an extensive game library, seamless gameplay, and exclusive content from our in-house studio. This launch builds on the strong momentum we’ve gained since introducing our enhanced standalone app in December,” said Aaron LaBerge, Chief Technology Officer of PENN Entertainment.
The stand-alone Hollywood Casino platform debuted in Pennsylvania last December and is also available in Michigan.
-
Latest News6 days ago
CT Gaming with First installations in Guatemala
-
Latest News6 days ago
Aristocrat Interactive Delivers Custom Branded Game “Caesars Ultimate Stars” for Caesars Sportsbook & Casino
-
Latest News6 days ago
Wynn Resorts Announces Nomination of Anthony Sanfilippo to the Board of Directors
-
Canada3 days ago
AGCO issues $110,000 in penalties to BetMGM Canada for offering cash to induce new gambling customers
-
Fantasy Sports6 days ago
Wire Industries Inc Announces Expansion of its FantasyWire Subdivision
-
Canada3 days ago
BetVictor Canada launches Tracy McGrady Safer Gambling campaign
-
Latest News6 days ago
Gila River Resorts & Casinos Announce Partnership with Peak Strategic Partnerships
-
Latest News6 days ago
Spintec Expands its US Presence