The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board recently published its annual report for the Fiscal Year 2021/22, and there was a lot to like, especially about PA online casinos.
Most notably, the report stated in its “Look To The Future” section that the PGCB may approve the launch of up to 10 additional online casinos in FY 2022/23. 클레오카지노 먹튀검증
Taxable iGaming revenue increased 37% in FY 2021/22, too, reaching $1.2 billion. That number surpassed the $1 billion mark for the first time in state history, gaining on the previous fiscal year’s $897 million total. As for the state, it took in $518 million in tax revenue from online casino gaming.
The PGCB’s announcement of new online casinos shows the state is paying attention to its iGaming market’s continued maturation, including the opportunities for more growth and the tax money that comes with it.
Which new online casinos are coming to Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania currently offers 18 online casinos (19 if you count FoxBet casino) after two casinos and one poker site entered the market during FY 2021/22. Those online brands (and their land-based partners) were: 솔카지노 회원가입
- Betway Casino (Live! Casino Philadelphia)
- PointsBet Casino (Hollywood Casino at Penn National Racecourse)
- WSOP PA (Harrah’s Philadelphia)
Looking ahead, we know the majority of the 10 new online casinos that should be joining the party, as they already submitted their license applications to the tune of $1 million apiece. We can also speculate on some others that may follow.
WynnBet Casino receives interim approval, four more “pending”
Alphabetically, WynnBET may come last on most lists. Here, it tops the list due to its application status reading, “Interim Authorization Approved.”
Though WynnBET (WSI US, LLC) has not yet been approved for licensure, it has been waiting since Oct. 2021, and we expect WynnBET online casino to be among those the PGCB approves once it begins doing so.
Four more online casinos have current application statuses of “pending.” All four are established in other markets and in good standing throughout the industry, meaning we expect them to be approved for licensure sooner, rather than later:
- Ballys Casino
- Fubo Casino
- Fanatics Casino
- Playstar Casino
Golden Nugget still awaits its QGE license
Golden Nugget Online Gaming (GNOG) is operational in four states, including neighboring New Jersey and West Virginia. It is the only applicant as a Qualified Gaming Entity (QGE), which would allow it to use an out-of-state license to operate in Pennsylvania. 쿨카지노 먹튀검증
DraftKings, who already operates an online casino in Pennsylvania, acquired GNOG this past May. As such, Golden Nugget online casino could have several possible routes to licensure:
Its QGE application could be approved, allowing it to operate and build from its established brand in New Jersey.
Withdraw the QGE application and re-apply as an iGaming Operator, partnering with a land-based casino. BetMGM took this route and opened its virtual doors in Dec. 2020.
Withdraw the QGE application and re-incorporate underneath DraftKings. This would be less likely than keeping Golden Nugget and DraftKings operating as two different casinos, each with land-based partnerships. Again, BetMGM took this route with its BetMGM and Borgata Online Casino brands.
Making sense of the last four possible licenses
Mr. Vegas Casino, owned by Videoslots, is another online casino expected to go live sometime in 2023 in partnership with Caesars. Mr. Vegas is live in the United Kingdom, Denmark and Greenland.
Beyond Mr. Vegas, several sportsbooks and casinos operate in other states like New Jersey, Colorado and Illinois that could feasibly look to expand into the Keystone State:
- Bet365
- Hard Rock International
- PlayUp
- MaximBet Casino
- Virgin Casino
Lastly, we must consider the possibility of the PGCB’s phrasing in that up to 10 new iGaming casino operators may gain approval. That number could simply be arbitrary, or the PGCB could decide to approve less than 10 between now and the end of the Fiscal Year (June 2023).
New mini casinos and sportsbooks also coming soon
Two mini-casinos (Hollywood Casino York and Morgantown) opened last year, and two more will come in the next year. Parx Casino looks to open a second location in Shippensburg, and Bally’s hopes to enter the market with a mini casino in State College if it can gain approval.
Each of these new properties will be able to open a retail sportsbook, which also sets the stage for Bally’s to snag a seat at the table for its Bally Bet brand.
Online sports betting will have more opportunities, too. In addition to two new retail sportsbooks, the PGCB report said that “several online sports wagering sites are expected to launch.”
The puzzle pieces will become clearer as the next eight months unfold and we see who the PGCB approves to enter the growing casino market. In the meantime, let’s enjoy the ride of continued PA gaming expansion.
