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.

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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.

Florida’s gambling picture is shifting again. Court battles over the Seminole Tribe’s compact continue, and legislators are hearing more calls to consider broader online betting.

Even with sports betting tied up in appeals, residents are finding workarounds. Offshore websites still advertise directly to Floridians. Many of them promote speed over safety, boasting that they allow withdrawals with no ID. Regulators say that may sound attractive, but it sidesteps the verification checks required by licensed U.S. operators.

The Seminole Tribe runs the state’s biggest casinos and its Hard Rock brand. Their 2021 compact with the state included online sports betting. That deal faced lawsuits almost immediately, slowing any momentum for a wider rollout. Yet the appetite hasn’t gone away.

People here talk about what’s happening in other states. New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan—they’ve all seen billions wagered online. Tax money follows. Advocates in Florida argue the state is leaving money on the table.

Opponents tell a different story. They warn about access on every phone and the risks that come with it. “Once it’s in an app, you can’t put the genie back in the bottle,” said a Jacksonville-area pastor who has lobbied against expansion. Addiction specialists add that enforcement is more rigid when offshore platforms are already targeting residents.

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Tourism officials keep an eye on the numbers, too. Florida casinos, especially in Tampa and South Florida, drive hotel bookings and restaurant traffic. A full online market could change that balance. Some business leaders like the idea of keeping players at home. Others say brick-and-mortar casinos fuel jobs that digital sites will never replace.

For lawmakers in Tallahassee, it’s a tricky call. The Seminole compact brings in revenue through a revenue-sharing deal. Expanding online casinos could mean more money, but also more legal fights with tribes who guard their exclusivity. That divide was one reason ballot measures in 2022 failed, after record spending on both sides.

Residents are split as well. A Miami resident outside a Hard Rock property said this week he enjoys visiting in person. “I wouldn’t mind having it on my phone, but I like the atmosphere here. It’s not the same on a screen.”

Meanwhile, the unregulated market keeps growing. Analysts with the American Gaming Association estimate billions of dollars flow to illegal sites each year nationwide. Florida’s share is significant. Enforcement is difficult, and warnings do little to stop players who want speed, privacy, and access.

The state’s size makes it a prime target. With more than 22 million people, Florida could become one of the largest online casino markets in the country if the law ever changes. For now, the lines hold. The Seminole Tribe runs its venues. Offshore operators keep pushing ads. And residents wait to see if lawmakers will take the next step.

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Source: floridadaily.com

Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN) (the “Company”) announced today that the Company has completed its previously announced purchase of a majority of the outstanding interests of a Salem, New Hampshire joint venture (“Casino Salem”) with the right to develop a charitable gaming, entertainment and dining venue.

The initial phase of Casino Salem opened on July 9th. CDI will finalize plans and commence construction of the future phases of the project, including a rebranding of the venue, an expansion of the gaming floor, and several food and beverage concepts.

The acquisition was funded with the Company’s existing credit facility. Closing of the transaction was subject to usual and customary closing conditions, including receipt of approval by the New Hampshire Lottery Commission.