Pennsylvania online gambling participation saw a notable increase in 2025, according to the Pennsylvania Interactive Gaming Assessment: Online Gambling Report.
The study was co-authored by researchers from Penn State’s Criminal Justice Research Center under contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP).
Offline gambling remained more popular overall, rising from 56% in 2024 to 69% in 2025. Pennsylvania sports betting continued to be the most popular online format for the fifth consecutive year, while lotteries remained the leading offline activity.
Record Growth in Online Gambling
The assessment surveyed more than 3,500 Pennsylvania adults using multiple sampling methods and found that up to 30% of residents engaged in some form of online gambling in 2025, up from 20% in 2024.
In total, between 60% and 73% of Pennsylvania adults participated in some form of gambling, online or offline. Between 2.5% and 6.4% of residents may meet criteria for problem gambling, with those who gamble both online and offline facing the highest risk. More than 10% of adults reported placing bets on unregulated or unlicensed gambling websites.
Funding and Oversight
The increase in online gambling coincided with more calls to the 1-800-GAMBLER hotline, with over half of inquiries related to online gambling behaviors. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) also reported record iGaming revenues, surpassing $3 billion, driven by Pennsylvania online casinos and sports betting operators.
The report was funded through Pennsylvania Act 42, which uses revenues from licensed interactive gaming operators to support research and public awareness initiatives.
Overall, the findings highlight the continued growth of Pennsylvania’s online gambling and sports betting markets while reinforcing the importance of responsible gaming and state oversight to protect residents at risk of gambling-related harm.
