Fantasy Contests and Retail vs Online Betting
Pennsylvanians continue to wager overwhelmingly online. September’s $33.3 million in online handle accounted for over 95% of the total, while retail locations generated just $1.45 million.
Fantasy contests also remained strong, collecting $17.29 million in entry fees.
SegmentSeptember 2025Market ShareOnline Sports Betting$33,325,41895%+Retail Sports Betting$1,445,639<1%Fantasy Contests (Entry Fees)$17,291,992~2% equivalentPGCB Warns Bettors Against Offshore Sites Amid NFL Season Surge
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) used the start of football season to issue a public warning against illegal offshore sportsbooks.
The regulator reminded residents that only licensed Pennsylvania operators are required to provide player-protection features like deposit limits, time caps, cool-off periods, and self-exclusion programs.
“For a gambler to protect themselves, they should be very hesitant to use illegal offshore sites,” said PGCB Executive Director Kevin O’Toole.
“Only on Pennsylvania-regulated sites can a bettor utilize self-imposed limits to better control their wagering activities.”
The PGCB’s responsibleplay.pa.gov portal remains the central resource for self-exclusion, complaint submissions, and operator verification.
Market Insights and Operator Landscape
Pennsylvania currently licenses 12 online sportsbooks, including leading brands such as FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, and ESPN Bet.
The state’s 36% tax rate on adjusted GGR continues to be one of the highest in the U.S., ensuring that even modest months like September contribute significantly to public funds.
Despite the reduced margins, the consistent climb in total wagers underscores the market’s maturity and engagement stability, bettors remain highly active, especially around NFL and college football weekends.