Pennsylvania Self-Exclusions Exceed 30,000 Following 18 Percent Rise

Pennsylvania self-exclusions rose 18% in the latest fiscal year, with more than 30,000 people now voluntarily excluded from one or more forms of gambling, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board as reported by Casino Beats. This increase continues a rise that began after the state’s first online casino opened in 2019. Six years earlier, fewer than 1,500 people had joined the programs. If the current trend continues, more than 10,000 people are expected to add themselves to the lists by the end of 2026.

The growth coincides with record gambling revenue that topped $7 billion for the first time, while tax revenue exceeded $3 billion. Online gambling revenue increased 18%, while revenue from in-person casinos declined 0.5%. Online slots generated the majority of internet gambling revenue. Sports betting continued to grow but produced less than a quarter of the revenue generated by online slots.

Rising Concerns and Regulatory Pressure

A 2025 report by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs estimated that between 2.5% and 6.4% of adults in the state could be classified as problem gamblers, equivalent to roughly 200,000 to 700,000 people. It found that people gambling across multiple platforms were more likely to report gambling addiction than those who gambled only online or only in person. A nonpartisan report published in July argued that Pennsylvania needed new rules to address problem gambling. The Gaming Control Board has proposed a broad update to gambling regulations, including new restrictions on casino advertising. Philadelphia ranks first nationally for gambling advertising, while Pittsburgh ranks fifth. Senator Wayne Fontana has called for a ban on credit-card use at online casinos, but the legislature has not passed major reforms addressing gambling addiction.

Court Ruling and Policy Test Ahead

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that skill games are subject to state gambling law, meaning they could face law-enforcement seizure beginning October 13, 2026. With the self-exclusion total above 30,000 and further additions projected, the next test for Pennsylvania will be how its proposed regulatory changes and legislative debate translate into policy. The figures place a measurable rise in demand for exclusion alongside record market revenue.

Reporting: Casino Beats

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