Pennsylvania casinos are hoping for an increase in revenue in April, May and onwards following a roll back on anti-COVID restrictions. Gov. Tom Wolf announced on march 15 that restaurants, bars and casinos that provide indoor dining could increase capacity and operational hours starting April 4.
Indeed, PA casinos have recorded an increase in the number of patrons visiting to gamble or dine in the first two weeks of April. Here’s an outlook of the industry and how it plans to move forward in a post COVID-19 world.
Business as Usual for Online Casinos
While brick and mortar casinos have been struggling with decreasing revenues, online casinos have been witnessing tremendous growth in the past one year. Online gambling has been legal in PA since 2017.
In the past couple of years, the growth of online casinos has been slow but steady. Since COVID-19 hit the world, however, online casinos have mushroomed rapidly. People that usually visited land-based establishments have a safer, more convenient alternative in online casinos. Online casinos in Pennsylvania such as those found here, have performed well since capacities in real casinos were reduced.
Resumption of Restaurant and Bar Service
Casinos in the Keystone state can now sigh in relief after they got the greenlight to resume restaurant and bar service. For many establishments, food and hospitality bring over 50% of the annual income.
This income was lost for the better part of February and March. Now, not only do they have leeway to serve alcohol until 11 p.m., but they can also welcome up to 75% of their post COVID intake.
For clarity, only casinos and restaurants that self-certify can welcome 75% of patrons. Businesses that decline to provide proof of following COVID-19 restrictions will be allowed to operate at half capacity.
Up to 75% Capacity for Gaming Facilities
Casinos can now invite up to 75% of their regular capacity to gaming facilities. That means, they can run 74% of slot machines, poker, blackjack and roulette games without breaking PA coronavirus containment rules.
In some cases, operators could hold events at maximum capacity if they can get everyone to observe social distance. It also goes without saying masks are required for all patrons and operators should disinfect surfaces as often as possible.
An increase in capacity is an important step toward getting PA casinos to operate normally. In other words, PA could be a few months away from eliminating restrictions from casinos and other businesses altogether.
Is Online Gambling the Future of PA Casinos?
As mentioned, online gaming has been mushrooming for the past one year. In February, when land-based casinos recorded a decline in activity, iGaming businesses made $40.9 million more from slots, $16.6 million from table games and $700,000 from online poker.
Will these figures continue to rise after PA gets back to normal? Time will tell. However, there are compelling reasons iGaming will continue to be around for long.
- Increased Safety and Security
The days when Americans had to gamble at unsafe, offshore casinos are gone. Nowadays, you can find a safe online casino regardless of where in Pennsylvania you live. Some of the websites are operated by well-known brands: BetRivers, Caesars, Borgata, Hollywood Casino and BETMGM, to name a few.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) takes intense measures to ensure all online casinos in PA are safe and follow the required laws. It does extensive background checks on license applicants, charges application fees and mandates all new sites to provide high quality services.
- Convenience
Let’s face it. Online casinos are significantly more convenient than their land-based counterparts. All you need is an iPhone or a laptop, and an account at a real money casino. No need travel to Philadelphia or Pittsburg to find a casino.
What’s more, you don’t need a lot money to play casino games online. With a deposit of $10, you can play a slot machine 100 times or play two hands of blackjack. With a budget of $200, you can play like a high roller.
In an increasingly work from home world, online casinos make the most sense. Sure, you get to hang out with friends when you drive to a land-based casino. But you can connect with these friends and play slots or card games together online.
- A Wide Range of Games
Another reason people are flocking to online casinos is that they offer all the games available at land-based casinos. Better yet, they offer a wider variety and often games of higher quality. Here’s why.
Casinos don’t have as many employees as their brick-and-mortar counterparts. They also don’t need gigantic buildings to offer their games. What’s more, they pay lower fees than their land-based counterparts.
Owing to that backdrop, online casinos are in a better capacity to provide high-quality slots. Indeed, the average online slot pays at a rate of 95% or more. By comparison, land-based slots pay at a rate of 85% to 92%.
- Safe, Quick Banking
One of the benefits of playing online casino games is that you can deposit money quickly and start to gamble immediately. Likewise, you can request for a cashout after you win and receive the money within hours.
You can use debit cards, e-wallets, crypto or direct transfer. With some brands, like Hollywood Casino, you could visit their physical offices to make a deposit. In other words, your money is safe at PA online casinos.
- Bonuses and Promotions
There’s no doubt bonuses are a big reason for the growing popularity of online casinos in PA. Think about it. At many brick and mortar casinos, you need to be a regular patron or prove you’re a high roller to get comps.
At online casinos, everyone qualifies for a bonus. All you need is to fulfill some basic requirements. For example, you need to register an account or make a deposit. The exact reward you receive varies from one operator to another but you can expect a 100% match on your first deposit at most casinos.