Millions of Pennsylvanians face moderate to severe gambling issues, as the PA problem gambling rate reached alarming levels in 2025.
According to a new study from Penn State University:
- 2.5–6.4% of PA adults were classified as problem gamblers in the past year
- 25.4–29.9% of PA adults were classified as at-risk gamblers in the past year
Consequently, as many as 36.3% of residents aged 18 and over experience issues with gambling, in whatever gambling form that may take. This equates to as many as 3.77 million Pennsylvanians.
This does not include underage gambling and minors impacted by it.
Problem gambling exists on a wide spectrum. The meaning of gambling-related harm can depend on the person or family. On average, a gambling problem causes harm to about six people near the person with a problem.
Definitions
An at-risk gambler is defined as an individual who does not meet the criteria for problem gambling according to the Problem Gambling Measure (PGM) but has a risk assessment score of one or higher. At-risk gambling classification is divided into three levels of risk based on risk assessment score: moderate, high, and very high.
The PGM is an assessment of problem gambling. It assigns individuals who gamble into categories: recreational gambler, at-risk gambler, and problem gambler.
Record Gambling Revenue in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvanians are spending more on gambling than ever before.
Powered by an increase of 27% in online casino revenue compared to 2024, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) reported that 2025 combined gambling revenue reached a record high.
The 2025 calendar year combined revenue figure was $6.79 billion. That figure is 10.74% above the 2024 combined revenue of $6.13 billion.
Forms of state-sanctioned gambling in the Keystone State include slot machines, table games, sports betting, online casinos, video gaming terminals (VGTs), and daily fantasy contests.
Online casinos, which likely generate most of their revenue from PA residents with problem gambling, have digital versions of slots, table games, and poker.
The $6.79 billion figure does not include revenue from the state lottery.
The state is a “partner” in the gambling industry, as one policymaker put it many years ago during the state’s efforts to expand gambling in 2017.
In 2025, Pennsylvania collected $2.98 billion in taxes from the operation of gambling it regulates (excluding the lottery).
PA Problem Gambling Rate Mitigation
The state provides some so-called addiction safeguards, such as self-exclusion. PA’s self-exclusion program has seen significant growth in recent years. Helpline calls have also surged.
Reflecting growing concerns, in 2025 the Pennsylvania House of Representatives adopted a resolution to further study the impact of problem gambling stemming from online sportsbooks and casinos.
The state also has an involuntary self-exclusion list that includes hundreds of names. Pennsylvania routinely bans people for living a minor unattended in a casino parking lot.
Despite the efforts to reduce harm, state-sanctioned gambling, especially via the internet, is devastating to many Pennsylvanians and their families and communities.
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