Pennsylvania Gambling Support Line Remains Active, Self-Exclusion Rise Observed
In the 2024-2025 fiscal year, Pennsylvania witnessed a record-breaking gambling revenue of $6.4 billion, with online gaming and sports betting accounting for nearly 40% of the total revenue and increasing by 27% annually [2][5]. However, this growth in online gambling has sparked concerns about problem gambling, as evidenced by the significant increase in iGaming self-exclusion in the state.
During 2024, a total of 7,491 individuals chose to self-exclude from online gambling, marking a 37% increase from the previous year [1]. Of these, iGaming self-exclusion accounted for the most enrollments, with 3,545 individuals registering to restrict their access to online gambling, including online sports betting [1]. This rise in self-exclusion coincides with a male-dominated trend, as 70% of those self-excluding were men [1].
The increase in iGaming self-exclusion suggests that access to online gambling can exacerbate gambling problems for some players. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) is taking steps to protect vulnerable populations by monitoring and enforcing self-exclusion, with the capacity to enforce involuntary exclusions as needed [3].
The Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania (CCGP) reported a robust outreach in 2024, with the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline receiving 26,751 calls, of which 2,168 were intake calls related to problem gambling [4]. Men accounted for 71% of the intake dials and texts, with individuals aged 25-34 being the most likely to seek help, accounting for 23% of the volume [1].
The CCGP offers a free, live, confidential helpline, available both by voice and text. The helpline received 234 intake calls in March 2024, making it the busiest month with approximately 11% of the total intakes for the year [4]. Despite a decrease in the number of intake calls from 2023, the number of intake calls remained double that of 2019 [1].
It's worth noting that individuals who self-exclude from iGaming also block access to online sports betting. Of the 7,491 self-exclusion enrollments in 2024, casino self-exclusion numbered 3,043 [1]. Among those seeking help, 71% reported financial problems due to their gambling, 34% cited family problems, and 27% reported mental health problems [1].
While job problems due to gambling were less prevalent, accounting for only 7% of those seeking help, the rise in self-exclusion underscores the growing need for robust problem gambling resources and prevention strategies targeted at online gamblers. The CCGP, an affiliate of the National Council on Problem Gambling, continues to play a vital role in addressing these issues and providing support to affected individuals.
In conclusion, the increase in iGaming self-exclusion in Pennsylvania reflects both the rapid growth of online gambling and the accompanying social challenge of problem gambling. As the state continues to see record-breaking revenue from online gambling, it's crucial to maintain regulatory oversight and support services for those struggling with problem gambling.
References:
[1] Pennsylvania Council on Compulsive Gambling. (2025). Annual Report 2024. Retrieved from https://www.ccgp.org/resources/annual-reports/
[2] Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. (2025). Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Revenue Report. Retrieved from https://www.gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov/press_releases/fiscal-year-2024-2025-revenue-report/
[3] Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. (2025). Self-Exclusion Program. Retrieved from https://www.gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov/regulatory-resources/self-exclusion-program/
[4] Pennsylvania Council on Compulsive Gambling. (2025). 1-800-GAMBLER Helpline Statistics 2024. Retrieved from https://www.ccgp.org/resources/1-800-gambler-helpline-statistics/
[5] American Gaming Association. (2025). U.S. Commercial Gaming Revenue Hits Record $53.3 Billion in 2024. Retrieved from https://www.americangaming.org/news-and-insights/news/us-commercial-gaming-revenue-hits-record-53-3-billion-2024/
- The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) and the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania (CCGP) are both taking active measures to tackle problem gambling, having recognized its rise in conjunction with the boom in online gaming and sports betting.
- In line with the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania (CCGP), a significant portion of individuals who self-exclude from online gambling engage in problem gambling, often grappling with financial, family, and mental health issues.
- With the growing concern over problem gambling, responsible gaming initiatives including science-based approaches to understanding health-and-wellness implications and promoting lifestyle choices that prioritize mental wellbeing become crucial in the gambling and gaming industries.
- The CCGP offers free, live, confidential help through a helpline accessible both by voice and text, a vital resource for those seeking support to tackle problem gambling.
- In the never-ending pursuit of portraying a responsible and socially conscious gambling industry, casinos and gambling entities must prioritize transparent reporting and regulations, aligning themselves with the Council on Compulsive Gambling's mission to prevent and address problem gambling in Pennsylvania and across the United States.
- Recognizing the need for a holistic approach to mitigate problem gambling, both the government and private sectors should collaborate to create robust prevention strategies and support services tailored for online gamblers, ensuring a more balanced and responsible gaming landscape in Pennsylvania.
