Philadelphia is known as the center of sports and entertainment in the United States. With sports franchises like the Eagles, Phillies, 76ers, and Flyers, and beautiful venues like the Wells Fargo Center, Citizens Bank Park, and Lincoln Financial Field, it’s no wonder that millions of visitors flock to the city every year. This has also led to a significant rise in sports betting and traditional casino gambling in the city.
Since Pennsylvania legalized various types of gambling in 2017, both casino gambling and sports betting have grown rapidly. Casino gambling generated over $900 million in just two years, while sports betting generated $309 million in three years. But which pastime drives more action in Philadelphia – sports betting or casino gambling?
Poker takes the lead in Philadelphia’s gambling industry. The game offers psychological thrills and has become highly popular due to the rise of online casinos, which allows Philadelphians to play poker virtually. There are also resources available to help beginners learn the game, making it an accessible and attractive option for many.
When it comes to sports betting, football is the driving force. Football is immensely popular in the city, and Philadelphians spend millions of dollars betting on football each year. According to PlayPennsylvania, Pennsylvania sportsbooks handled over $1 billion in football wagers during the 2022 NFL season alone, a significant increase from the previous year.
Although there is a shortage of data specifically on Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a whole has established itself as a gambling and sports betting powerhouse. The state ranked second in commercial casino revenue and high in sports betting handle in 2021. This growth has been attributed to Pennsylvania’s early adoption of gambling expansion measures, including the legalization of casino gambling in 2004 and online gambling in 2017.
While poker and traditional casino games remain popular, sports betting is the dominant trend in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania overall. With the rise of online sportsbooks and the passionate sports culture in the city, sports betting is set to continue growing. Additionally, the rise of online casinos gives traditional gambling fans plenty of ways to play exciting games.
