Pennsylvania Problem Gambling is the Subject of Research at Penn State
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As the iGaming market evolves and all parties connected to it continue to grapple with compulsive gambling patterns, a crucial element that has been lacking in tackling that challenging task is solid research.
One of only six states, Pennsylvania, that offers the full spectrum of online gaming, has made it mandatory to conduct an annual study of iGaming practices in the state.
Recently, the second annual report for 2022 was made public. Although the work is restricted to a single state, specifically research on Pennsylvania online casino activities, it serves as a foundation for understanding who engages in online gambling, their behaviors, and their reasons.
What Was Examined in the PA Report
There were 19 statewide iGaming providers and 14 online Pennsylvania sports betting outlets during the fiscal year 2021–2022, according to a report created by Penn State University academics. They made more than $1.2 billion from iGaming (which includes video poker, table games, and slots), over $267 million from online sportsbooks, and more than $27 million from fantasy sports (although the figure from fantasy sports included both online and retail activity).
A brief description of the “typical online gambler” was created by the report.
That would be a man in his mid- to late-30s who is working, has a college degree, and earns more than $50,000 a year. He’s Caucasian, married, and resides in southwest PA. He prefers to play Pennsylvania sportsbooks online, and he does it mostly for fun.
But that one account merely scratches the surface of what PA online gamblers and gamblers, in general, go through.
Some Results of Penn State Research
11% of Pennsylvanians, or more than one in ten, participated in iGaming. From the start of the survey, the rate of involvement in Pennsylvania online casino applications remained constant. 67.5% of Pennsylvania adults gambled in person (or offline) in 2021.
The most popular type of entertainment among online gamblers was sports betting. 54% of online gamblers placed bets on sports.
