Online Gambling Rises in Pennsylvania, Raising Concerns About Problem Gambling

Nearly three times as many Pennsylvania adults gamble online now compared to just a few years ago, according to recent research. As online platforms increase the ease and convenience of gambling, some Pennsylvanians are gambling more frequently and may be at a higher risk of developing gambling-related problems. Researchers at Penn State’s Criminal Justice Research Center and the University of Kentucky’s College of Social Work recently published these findings in a report for the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.

Key Findings from the Pennsylvania Online Gambling Report

A survey of over 3,500 Pennsylvania adults revealed that between 2.5% and 6.4% could be classified as problem gamblers. An additional nearly 30% were categorized as “at-risk,” exhibiting signs of potential harm without meeting the full criteria for problem gambling.

1. Shift from Offline to Online Gambling

While most Pennsylvanians still gamble offline, the gap between offline and online gambling is narrowing. When Pennsylvania legalized online gambling in 2017, annual assessments of its impact on residents’ gambling behaviors were mandated, beginning two years after the first licenses were issued.

The percentage of Pennsylvania adults reporting online gambling rose from approximately 11% in the first two years of the survey (2021 and 2022) to as high as 30% in the 2025 report, released in January 2026. The 2025 report indicated that between 61% and 74% of adults had gambled at least once in the past year, consistent with previous reports. Between 56% and 69% reported offline gambling, such as slot machines or lottery tickets, while 17% to 30% gambled online.

Lottery games and raffles remain the most popular offline formats, while sports betting leads in online gambling. Notably, the lines between online and offline gamblers are blurred, with over three-quarters of those who gamble online also participating in offline gambling.

Researchers categorized gamblers into three groups: approximately 43% gamble exclusively offline, 4% exclusively online, and 14% to 27% engage in “mixed-mode” gambling – participating in both online and offline activities.

2. Increased Gambling Activity with Mixed-Mode Participation

Individuals who participate in mixed-mode gambling engage in nearly twice as many gambling formats as those who gamble exclusively offline or online. They also gamble more frequently, averaging close to once a week compared to about once a month for offline-only gamblers.

Mixed-mode gamblers spend more money and time on gambling. Offline-only and online-only gamblers spend a median of $20-$40 per month, while mixed-mode gamblers spend approximately $105-$230 per month and experience larger single-day losses.

3. Significant Portion of Gamblers at Risk

The 2025 report is the first to estimate the prevalence of problem gambling in the general Pennsylvania population. Between 2.5% and 6.4% of adults meet the criteria for problem gambling, as defined by an evidence-based measure. Nearly 30% fall into “at-risk” categories, showing signs of harm but not yet meeting the threshold for a problem gambling diagnosis.

Mixed-mode gamblers are significantly more likely to be classified as at-risk or problem gamblers compared to those who gamble offline only or online only.

4. Low Rates of Help-Seeking

Despite the significant number of at-risk and problem gamblers, highly few seek treatment or assistance. Only about 1.5% of Pennsylvanians believe they have a gambling problem, and only 0.2% have sought help. Even among those meeting the criteria for problem gambling, only about 6% report receiving assistance.

However, some individuals proactively reach out for others, with 0.4% of residents contacting the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline due to someone else’s gambling.

5. Young Men are Particularly Vulnerable

Pennsylvania’s experience with gambling aligns with public health research on alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis: increased accessibility leads to higher overall apply and concentrated harm within vulnerable groups. Online gambling features, such as ease of access, acceptance of online payment methods (including cryptocurrencies), and rapid feedback, are particularly appealing to younger adults, who may be showing declining interest in traditional gambling formats.

Younger people, especially young men, are disproportionately vulnerable to addictive behaviors. As the online gambling market expands, the data suggests that both entertainment and harm may be increasing, mirroring patterns observed with alcohol and cannabis.

For most Pennsylvanians, gambling remains a casual pastime. However, increased availability expands both experimentation and the number of people who progress to harmful levels of engagement.