West Virginia University’s John Chambers College of Business and Economics is proud to announce the establishment of a new fund for the Center for Gaming Research and Development, generously seeded by gaming industry veterans Chen and Benjamin Truman.

Launched with the mission to promote research on responsible gaming practices and consumer protection in gambling markets, the Center leverages leading-edge expertise — including Chambers College like Professor Brad Humphreys, an internationally recognized researcher in the economics of gaming markets.

This new fund will enable the Center to:

• Expand its research initiatives into gaming markets, including analysis of transactions level data provided by gaming operators in West Virginia to identify and understand problematic gambling behavior and ensure fair pricing of wagers.
• Enhance integration of gaming-focused research and analytics into curricular offerings in the Chambers college, including cybersecurity, business data analytics, finance, management information systems, and economics.
• Develop courses, training, certificates, initiatives and other activities designed to foster innovation in gaming technology development, and prepare students for careers in racing, gaming, gaming operations, hospitality management, guest relations, entertainment, and other amenities typically offered in conjunction with gaming operations.
• Foster deeper collaboration with policymakers and industry stakeholders to translate research insights into impactful policy and practice.

The Center’s research, education, and outreach will have an important impact on the lives of state residents, college students throughout the state, gaming industry firms operating in the state, and state gaming regulators. This generous gift will allow the Center to fulfill the role envisioned by the state legislature when they passed The Responsible Gaming and Research and Industry Development Act. — Professor Brad Humphreys, Director, Center for Gaming Research and Development

This strategic investment by Chen and Benjamin Truman, a WVU alumni, underscores their commitment to evidence-based research and responsible industry practices. It will help propel the Center’s mission to safeguard consumer interests within evolving gaming markets.

We’re thrilled to see West Virginia University take a leadership role in shaping the future of iGaming and sports betting policy. As industry veterans, Chen and I are proud to support a mission that will not only advance responsible gaming but also help set the global standard for innovation and consumer protection in this space.” — Benjamin Truman, Co-Founder, Absolutebet.

About the Center for Gaming Research and Development

The Center was created by an Act of the West Virginia legislature, the Responsible Gaming and Research and Industry Development Act.  The Center is dedicated to advancing academic research, analyzing gaming data including transactions level data, developing courses and initiatives to prepare WVU students for careers in the gaming industry, and shaping policy and industry standards through collaboration, education, and data-driven insight. It seeks to mitigate inherent risks in gaming—such as problem gambling and pricing opacity—by empowering informed decision-making among consumers, regulators, and industry players.

About the John Chambers College of Business and Economics

Located at West Virginia University, the Chambers College combines rigorous academic programs with an emphasis on cutting-edge research, equipping students to address real-world challenges across business disciplines.

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There’s no denying that Michigan online casinos are still in a growth pattern.

Revenue records seem to be set almost every month, and yearly projections don’t seem to have a limit.

While the iGaming landscape continues to thrive, the three Detroit commercial casinos have found a leveling off point.

Though the three locations haven’t been able to approach the revenue totals they hit prior to the pandemic, there’s still steady cash flow coming in despite a lot of obstacles over recent years.

Detroit’s 2025 Revenue Just Below 2024

Detroit has three commercial casinos that operate in the downtown area. They are the MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown.

The 2025 revenue for the three casinos through seven months has been similar to what they have seen in recent years. Overall, it is down less than a percentage point compared to 2024, but three of the seventh months have seen revenue growth year over year.

The data suggests that 2025 has been more consistent with its revenue than 2024. The high this year wasn’t quite as high, but the low also wasn’t nearly as low.

Detroit Levels Off as Online Casinos Grow

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Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Detroit was seeing record revenue for its three casinos. The $1.45 billion it did in 2019 was an all-time high.

The slow return from the pandemic eventually led to a leveling off for Detroit, as yearly revenue since 2020 has ranged from $1.22 billion to $1.28 billion.

As that has played out, online casinos debuted in Michigan in January 2021. The first year of revenue was $1.11 billion, but has since more than doubled that total in 2024.

Through seven months of 2025, Michigan online casinos are already at $1.72 billion in revenue. That alone is more than all of 2021 or 2022, respectively. After August’s numbers come in, the total is likely to have surpassed 2023’s mark as well.

This year’s OC revenue is already over 27% ahead of where it was a year ago. Through July, Michigan’s iGaming had generated $1.35 billion in 2024.

Through seven months, the state is averaging over $245 million in monthly online casino revenue. Prior to 2025, Michigan had never hit $245 million in revenue for any month in its online casino history.

Should Michigan continue this pace, it will surpass $2.9 billion in annual iCasino revenue. The last quarter of the year has trended toward being the strongest revenue months each year, so $3 billion isn’t out of the question. If the 27% growth rate holds, the state would hit $3.1 billion in 2025 revenue.

Each new record just brings in more tax revenue for the state as well. Initial projections when Michigan pursued online casinos was around $40 million in annual tax revenue. The first year of 2021 brought in $201.7 million in state tax revenue and another $77.6 million in local taxes.

In 2024, Michigan online casinos generated $451.4 million in state tax revenue and another $168.7 million in local taxes. This year’s iGaming has already generated $330.0 million in state tax revenue and another $124.7 million in local taxes.

Source: saturdaytradition.com

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Pennsylvania’s online casinos soared in July 2025, delivering adjusted gross revenue of $228.3 million. This figure marks the second-highest monthly iGaming total ever reported by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

It follows the record $238.2 million in March. The revenue reflects a 30.9% year-over-year boost, underscoring broader growth trends in the digital gaming space. The state’s real money online casino market continues expanding as player engagement strengthens.

The surge came as Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course and partners led the state with $87.8 million, registering a 37.2% increase over last year. Valley Forge Casino Resort followed with $61.0 million, marking a 34.1% rise. Rivers Casino Philadelphia clocked in $37.8 million, up 26.6%. Meanwhile, Caesars Interactive contributed $10.5 million, up 10.8%.

Tax revenues surged alongside iGaming. The Commonwealth collected $67.4 million in state taxes from online casino play in July. Local tax and county grants added $36.5 million, amplifying the fiscal impact.

Pennsylvania’s total gambling revenue, including land-based casinos and sports betting, totaled $557.7 million, rising 11.4% year-over-year. The iGaming segment alone increased 30.9%, making it a primary growth engine.

Slots dominated iGaming revenue with $177.2 million, followed by table games at $48.5 million and poker at $2.5 million.

Pennsylvania’s sports betting market delivered $40.6 million in revenue during July, a 5.2% increase from last year. Online wagering accounted for $37.9 million, while retail sportsbooks added $2.7 million.

The rise came despite a 0.5% dip in handle, which closed at $412.5 million. Betting from online sportsbooks produced $392.6 million of that total, with retail wagering contributing $19.9 million. The statewide hold rate stood at 9.84%, reflecting stronger margins.

FanDuel, partnered with Valley Forge Casino Resort, led the market once again. It generated $15.5 million in revenue from a $140.9 million handle, posting an 11.00% hold. DraftKings and Hollywood Casino at the Meadows followed, collecting $11.3 million from $112.3 million, equal to a 10.06% hold.

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Fanatics, partnered with Hollywood Casino York, placed third with $2.7 million from a $28.4 million handle, producing a 9.51% hold. Morgantown and BetMGM secured $2.1 million on a $33.3 million handle for a 6.3% hold.

Rounding out the top five, ESPN Bet with Hollywood Casino at Penn National reported $1.7 million from $18.7 million, giving a 9.09% hold.

The data underscores how Pennsylvania’s sports betting operators are strengthening profitability even when overall wagering slows. Analysts expect momentum to accelerate once football season begins, driving higher handles and further testing operator margins.