The history of gambling in Pennsylvania, looking to the future of the industry

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) – In 2004, Pennsylvania legalized putting slot machines into casinos. Since then, the industry has only expanded, drawing in more revenue and controversy along the way.

The Racehorse Development and Gaming Act allowed casinos with only slot machines to be built in Pa. At the time, critics lamented the idea of adding one to certain areas, but enough were eventually convinced with a compromise. The new Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board promised to “get money into the agricultural community” along with reducing property taxes.

“It was never going to be large enough to eliminate school property taxes,” Doug Harbach, director of communications at the gaming control board, said. “But it was a piece that was able to reduce taxes for individual homeowners.”

The new casinos made over a billion dollars in their first full year of operation. The revenue became so great that in 2010, lawmakers went all in on gambling by allowing table games. This allowed casinos to reach an even larger audience, for the better or worse.

“Unfortunately, when you see that combination of things, new availability, increased availability, increased participation, you’re going to see an increase in problems as well,” Josh Ercole, executive director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of PA, said.

Ercole says that gambling addiction is a “public health concern.” The number of calls to 1-800-GAMBLER has increased from 1,000 calls a year to double that after 2020.

In 2017, gambling became even more accessible with another expansion that allowed online gambling and sports betting. It also allowed what came to be known as “mini-casinos,” smaller, more remote locations. As of June 2024, there are four fully operational mini-casinos. A fifth is in development. That happens to be the controversial Nittany Mall Casino Project.

Despite the project being tied up since 2022, there are still groups fighting against it to this day.

“It’s an unequivocally bad thing,” Andrew Shaffer, a concerned resident, said.

There are multiple sides to the issue. Commissioner Chair Mark Higgins believes it will bring more jobs to the area.

Despite the project being tied up since 2022, there are still groups fighting against it to this day.

“It’s an unequivocally bad thing,” Andrew Shaffer, a concerned resident, said.

There are multiple sides to the issue. Commissioner Chair Mark Higgins believes it will bring more jobs to the area.

As for the future of the project, nothing is set in stone until the Supreme Court makes a ruling. Harbach said he hopes to see that decision made soon.

Gambling as a whole in Pa. is not going anywhere. In 2023 alone, the gambling industry generated $2.3 billion. According to Harbach, that money was distributed in the form of property tax relief, statewide economic development and the support of the horse racing industry.

If you or someone you know has a gambling addiction, you can call 1-800-GAMBLER for help.

“You’re not alone,” Ercole said.