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PlayPennsylvania.com: Sportsbooks, online casinos combine for more than $100 million in revenue in December

Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks and online casinos returned to their record-breaking ways in December, setting fresh highs while combining for more than $100 million in revenue. The late-year push put the state’s sports betting handle at more than $3.5 billion for 2020, a shocking total in a year when four months of major U.S. sports were canceled and retail outlets have been shuttered, according to analysts from PlayPennsylvania, which provides news and analysis of the state’s gaming industry.
“Online betting, both on sports and online casino games, have been a crucial silver lining to what was overall a rough year for Pennsylvania’s gaming industry,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayPennsylvania.com. “Obviously, the growth online has come unfortunately as the retail market has faced pandemic-related shutdowns. But without the increase in online revenue, there is no telling how much weaker a position the entire industry would be in right now.”
After a one-month retreat below $500 million, Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks accepted $548.6 million in wagers in December, according to official data released Tuesday. December’s bets were up 11.5% from $491.9 million in November and topped the record $525.8 million record set in October.
Taxable operator revenue hit $34.1 million, less than the record $37.4 million in November, which generated $11.6 million in state taxes and $681,191 in local share assessments.
Compared with December 2019, December’s handle was up 60.1% from $342.6 million while taxable revenue rose a whopping 199.4% from $11.4 million.
For all of 2020, Pennsylvania’s retail and online sportsbooks produced:
- $3.6 billion in wagers, up 140.3% from $1.5 billion in 2019.
- $3.3 billion in online wagering, up 208.4% from $1.1 billion in 2019.
- $189.7 million in taxable revenue, up 125.5% from $84.1 million in 2019.
- $64.5 million in state taxes.
Only New Jersey, which shattered a U.S. record with more than $6 billion in bets in 2020, and Nevada have collected more in bets this year than Pennsylvania. But Pennsylvania’s grip on third place is being challenged by Illinois, which reached $434.3 million in October, the market’s fourth full month of operation.
“Pennsylvania and Illinois make for such an interesting comparison, because their markets are so similar, including a nearly identical population,” said Valerie Cross, analyst for PlayPennsylvania. “Pennsylvania is still the more mature market, though, and is well poised to shatter just about every record it set in 2020.”
With retail sportsbooks shut down for most of the month, 97.6%, or $548.6 million, of all bets were made online in December, which was up from 91% in November. FanDuel Sportsbook/Valley Forge Casino became the first to top $200 million in online wagers in a month with $207.6 million in December, up 17.5% from $176.7 million wagered in November. Those bets produced $7.1 million in taxable revenue, down from $15.1 million in November. DraftKings/The Meadows remained in second place with $130.9 million in bets, up from $109.9 million in November. That yielded $5.4 million in taxable revenue.
Penn National continues to make its own dent in the market. The Hollywood Casino license, which includes Penn National’s Barstool-branded app and the recently launched BetMGM app, grew to $71.8 million in bets from $55.7 million. That produced a market-leading $13.9 million in taxable revenue.
The leaders were followed in December by:
- Fox Bet/Mount Airy ($28.9 million handle, up from $28.1 million; $1.9 million, up from $1.6 million)
- BetRivers/Rivers-Pittsburgh ($26.8 million handle, down from $28.1 million; $1.6 million revenue, up/down from $975,843)
- Parx Casino ($23.7 million handle, up from $19.4 million; $2 million revenue, down from $2.1 million)
- PlaySugarHouse/Rivers-Philadelphia ($21.8 million handle, up from $19.4 million; $1 million in revenue, up from $917,164)
- Unibet/Mohegan Sun Pocono ($8.9 million handle, up from $8.2 million; $86,200 revenue, up/down from $194,793)
- Caesars/Harrah’s ($1.4 million handle, up from $1.1 million; $15,700 revenue, down from $58,141)
- BetAmerica/Presque Isle Downs ($1.5 million handle, up from $957,165; -$7,840 revenue, down from $8,632)
“The successful launch of Barstool proves there is still some room for growth in the Pennsylvania market, both in terms of overall market size and in introducing new operators,” Gouker said. “To that point, the addition of another major player such as BetMGM makes Pennsylvania one of the most competitive markets in the U.S. That should bode well for the year ahead.”
Retail sportsbooks, which were closed on Dec. 12, fell to $13.4 million in bets from $45.1 million in December 2019. Sportsbooks won $1.2 million on those bets, down from $3 million in December 2019. The top retail sportsbook was Parx Casino with $4.3 million in bets.
Online casinos surge
Online casinos and poker rooms reached $70 million in monthly revenue for the first time. Online casinos and poker took in $71.6 million in gross operator revenue, shattering the record $59.8 million set in November. That amounted to $2.3 million per day over the 31 days of the month, up from $2 million per day over the 30 days of November. December’s revenue generated $19.3 million in state taxes and another $9.8 million in local share assessments and county grants.
Online casino games and poker, launched in late 2019, have been a boon to Pennsylvania, particularly after retail casinos were shuttered in March. With its 12 casinos closed for months, online casinos produced $680.2 million in revenue and $154.6 million in state taxes for the year.
“The late-2019 launch of online casinos proved to be fortuitous timing,” Cross said. “The revenue lost from casino closures could not have been foreseen and not be completely replaced, but there is no doubt the launch of online gaming helped stem the losses and steady the industry.”
Highlights from December:
- Online table games and slots alone generated $68.9 million in revenue on $2.9 billion in bets, which was up from $2.3 billion in bets in November.
- Penn National, which includes the DraftKings casino, took the market lead with $23.5 million in revenue on a market-leading $1.1 million in wagers. Rivers-Philadelphia, which includes PlaySugarHouse and BetRivers casinos, tallied $19.3 million in revenue on $668.2 million in wagers.
- Mount Airy/PokerStars, the lone poker operator in the state, generated poker revenue of $2.7 million.
For more information on the revenue generated by Pennsylvania, visit www.playpennsylvania.com/revenue.
About the PlayUSA.com Network:
The PlayUSA.com Network is a leading source for news, analysis, and research related to the market for regulated online gaming in the United States. With a presence in over a dozen states, PlayUSA.com and its state-focused branches produce daily original reporting, publish in-depth research, and offer player advocacy tools related to the advancement of safe, licensed, and legal online gaming options for consumers. Based in Las Vegas, the PlayUSA Network is independently owned and operated, with no affiliations to any casino — commercial, tribal, online, or otherwise.
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BMM INNOVATION GROUP TO SHOWCASE ITS WORLD-LEADING TESTING SERVICES FOR BRAZIL’S FAST-GROWING GAMING MARKET AT BIS SIGMA AMERICAS SUMMIT APRIL 7–10

Company to share expert insights and highlight its fast-track product certification and lottery support at São Paulo, Brazil 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, will exhibit at BiS SiGMA Americas April 7-10 at the Transamerica Expo Center in São Paulo, Brazil in Stand No. F133.
As Brazil’s gaming landscape undergoes a significant transformation under new federal regulations, BMM is heavily partnered with operators, suppliers, and regulators through this transition. With its three expert divisions – BMM Testlabs, BIG Cyber, and RG24seven Virtual Training – the BIG Group brings unmatched expertise in product testing, cybersecurity, and responsible gaming education, all vital for success in the dynamic Brazilian market.
At the show, BMM will highlight its fast-track product testing and certification process, developed specifically to address Brazil’s recertification requirements for B2B and B2C operators. This streamlined service ensures that gaming companies meet all regulatory standards while maintaining their operating licenses with minimal disruption.
BMM Testlabs’ Marzia Turrini, President of iGaming & Cybersecurity, said, “BMM is committed to guiding customers through the certification process with speed, precision, and expert support. Our goal is to reduce regulatory risks and accelerate time to market in Brazil’s evolving regulatory environment.”
At BiS SiGMA, BMM will highlight its support for Brazil’s expanding state lottery market, working closely with operators to support multi-jurisdictional entry and growth. BMM’s lottery and iLottery testing services help ensure full compliance while enabling faster, broader market access.
Visitors to BMM Innovation Group’s stand at BiS SiGMA Americas will gain insights into the Company’s full suite of services for cybersecurity and defense, as well as responsible gaming, including:
- Vulnerability assessments, penetration tests, PCI:DSS evaluations, and a suite of managed security services featuring CYREBRO’s Security Operations Center, KnowBe4’s security awareness training, and Maxxsure’s risk management platform.
- RG24seven Virtual Training, offering expert-led education on responsible gaming, anti-money laundering, and many other important topics, available in Portuguese, Spanish, and English for gaming professionals worldwide.
Turrini added, “BMM is more than just a test lab. We are a long-term strategic partner, helping shape a secure, responsible, and compliant gaming industry in Brazil and globally.”
BMM invites all BiS SiGMA attendees to stop by Stand No. F133 and discover how the Company drives innovation, reliability, and trust across Brazil’s regulated gaming industry. For more information on BMM’s Brazil support, visit the BMM Brazil Hub at brazil.bmm.com/.
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No fooling! The All-Inclusive Hotel Room Package is back for summer stays at the Plaza Hotel & Casino

Tomorrow might be April Fool’s Day but this is no joke, the Plaza Hotel & Casino is bringing back Las Vegas’ only all-inclusive hotel room package starting at $125 per person per night.
The Plaza introduced its all-inclusive hotel room package last summer. It was so well received by guests that the iconic downtown Las Vegas property is bringing it back and extending it for all of June, July and August.
“At a time when tourists are concerned about increasing costs in Las Vegas, including resort fees and paying to park, we wanted to give our guests a more affordable summer vacation option by again offering our all-inclusive hotel room package,” said Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino.
The Plaza’ all-inclusive hotel room package waives all resort fees, but guests will still have free access to the fitness center, self-parking, and rooftop pool. It also includes bottomless drinks from the Omaha Bar and Sports Book Bar on the casino floor as well as breakfast and dinner from various dining outlets, and more.
The Plaza’s all-inclusive hotel room package is available for booking beginning today. Rooms must be booked online by Aug. 29 for a stay June 1 through Aug. 30.
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Jogo da Zebra: The Most Thrilling Version of the Classic Minesweeper Arrives from Vibra Gaming

Vibra Gaming, the leading game and platform developer in the LatAm market, unveils its latest and most exciting release: Jogo da Zebra, a high-adrenaline experience where every click can multiply your winnings. Designed especially for the Brazilian audience, this game reimagines the classic Minesweeper with visuals and gameplay that resonate with local culture.
The game unfolds on a 5×5 grid with 25 hidden tiles. Players can choose how much to bet and how many zebras will appear on the board, directly influencing the level of risk and potential rewards.
To win, players click on the tiles to reveal golden squares, increasing their bet multiplier. At any moment, they can cash out and secure their winnings before encountering a zebra.
The game also incorporates innovative mechanics to enhance the excitement. By selecting the number of hidden zebras on the board (from 1 to 20), players can adjust the difficulty and raise the prize multiplier as they progress. Additionally, if a zebra is revealed followed by a heart, the game grants an extra life, allowing the player to continue without ending the round. This unique feature adds a new layer of thrill and strategy, as only one extra life can be earned per game.
Jogo da Zebra also includes a Turbo Button, which speeds up tile reveals for a more dynamic gaming experience. A Cash Out button allows players to stop and collect their winnings before risking another click.
Ramiro Atucha, CEO of Vibra Gaming, commented: “Jogo da Zebra combines the nostalgia of a classic with captivating gameplay and big rewards. It’s the perfect game for thrill-seekers who enjoy risk, where every click can make a difference in winning big. We developed it with the Brazilian audience in mind, incorporating a local theme that connects with their culture and gaming preferences.”
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