According to data from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), the state's gaming revenue hit $558 million in April 2025, up 10.7% YoY, driven by strong iGaming growth...
Pennsylvania Senate passes casino slot machine reduction bill
The Pennsylvania Senate has officially passed Senate Bill 840, aiming to lower the required number of slot machines for Category 1 and 2 casinos from 1,500 to 1,000.
According to the author of the bill, Sen. Daniel Laughlin of Erie County, casinos are facing severe online and offline competition from neighbouring states Ohio and New York, and the slot machine number reduction has the potential to address the issue.
Daniel Laughlin stated:
“When Pennsylvania first legalized gaming, surrounding states like Ohio and New York didn’t have casinos. That’s no longer the case. Facilities like Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Erie are facing growing competition from out-of-state casinos and online gaming platforms. Reducing the slot machine requirement gives these businesses the flexibility to adapt while preserving jobs and tax revenue. This bill is about modernization and sustainability. It’s a commonsense reform that protects jobs, strengthens our local economy, and allows our gaming industry to remain competitive in a changing market.”
The new bill would still require approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for any slot machine reductions. Moreover, it also limits the reductions; no more than 2% of its total machines, with no Category 1 or 2 casino going below 1,000 machines.
Back in May, Dan Laughlin introduced Senate Bill 666 and removed some of Pennsylvania’s restrictions on physical casinos.
The bill now heads to the House for approval.
Pennsylvania is one step closer to fully regulating the often controversial world of skill games.For nearly a decade, these machines have thrived in a legal gray area,...
