Pennsylvania’s $32M In Sports Betting Could Increase With Online Wagering

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Over $32 million was wagered in Pennsylvania in January, and those numbers may increase if the state brings online and mobile wagering to the table. 

January marks the second full month that that sports wagering was legal in Pennsylvania. The $32 million that was wagered is double from what was wagered in December. These numbers come from six different sportsbooks in the state and are shown in a report released by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

The casinos received $2.6 million in revenue out of the $385 million that was wagered. This allowed the state to take in over $938,000 in taxes in January. This makes the grand total $1.8 million for the state since sports betting was launched the last mid-November. Although these numbers are high, the revenue could increase if and when Pennsylvania launches mobile sports betting. 

Comparing Pennsylvania vs. New Jersey

New Jersey is a state that also has legal sports betting and it is right next to Pennsylvania. The main difference between the two states is that New Jersey has active online and mobile sports wagering available. 

According to a press release published by the NJ Office of the Attorney General, most of New Jersey’s residents actually prefer to wager online rather than going to a brick-and-motor sportsbook. In fact, 79 percent of all of the wagers placed in New Jersey is done through online and mobile devices. 

Furthermore, 80 percent of the state revenue received from online wagering comes from mobile sports wagering. In January, Jersey took in $15.5 million in revenue from this method of sports wagering. 

It should be noted that New Jersey has had sports betting for a few months longer than Pennsylvania. However, it does show that people do prefer online mobile wagering rather than going to a physical sportsbook. 

Pennsylvania Could Do Better

This is a good indication of how much additional profit Pennsylvania could receive if they move forward with online wagering. The Keystone State is far bigger than New Jersey is and it is a more populous state as well. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia both have tourism industries that will add to those numbers. 

One thing to remember about all of this is that mobile wagering is already legal in Pennsylvania, it is just not ready yet. Providers for mobile wagering are currently working out the details of how mobile sports betting is going to work for the state. Even though the highly profitable March Madness tournament is coming up, it looks like mobile sports wagering will not launch until April.