Apr 14, 2025 4 min read

As the gambling sector continues to evolve, Pennsylvania has seen both incredible wins and unfortunate losses. Specifically, two major lottery tickets have been sold in the last few weeks within the state, while several individuals have also been put on the involuntary ban list, highlighting the highs and lows of gambling.

All this comes as the gambling space has seen a greater influx of digital assets, more accessibility due to technology, and ever-evolving regulations.

Locals Win Big As Casino Games Grow in Accessibility

Two of the biggest stories in the Pennsylvania gambling scene involve the official lottery system. Just last week, it was announced that a $1 million lottery jackpot ticket was sold in Allegheny County. Days after that, a $3 million ticket was confirmed to have been sold by a retailer in Franklin County. Both institutions that sold the tickets will get a $10,000 commission, and winners have been advised to contact the gambling board to clean their money. This shows just how beneficial the traditional lottery system continues to be, with people winning life-changing sums of money from buying a ticket that essentially costs about $30.

As this happens, we’re seeing higher numbers of consumers turn to the internet to play casino games. This is thanks to many factors, including greater accessibility and flexibility from these platforms. Some players, for example, would shun land-based establishments because of concerns about the high minimum requirements to play. Then, some people simply want to play gambling games casually and don’t want to put a lot of money into them.

For this, the online space has several options. As Alex Hoffmann explains, there has been a rise in online casinos that accept at least $20 for their various games. Even as traditional gambling options like the lottery continue to thrive, we should also see these low-bankroll options increasing in popularity over time.

Outside of the low barrier to entry, these games can be played on the go, which makes them more accessible for a wide variety of players. Several states around the country, such as Virginia, have seen the massive income that can be made from online gambling. With Pennsylvania being one of the biggest markets for this, the sky is the limit.

19 People Put On Involuntary Ban List

But even as the casino space has massive benefits for both players and the companies, a recent story highlights one of the potential dangers. A decision from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has seen 19 people put on the involuntary ban list. This means these people cannot access any gambling services, whether online or in-person, in the state of Pennsylvania. In those cases, the individuals had taken extreme measures to play their favorite games.

For example, one of the individuals left two children in a car at the Valley Forge Casino while he played casino games inside. Some other individuals were added to the list due to their fraudulent activity, and this shows efforts taken by the state to make sure that while everyone reaps the benefits of the gambling sector, little harm is done to the public. In fact, a recent meeting from the board stated that the people added to the list found themselves in that position due to actions that threatened the “inimical to the interest of the Commonwealth”.

Since the creation of the involuntary exemption list, 1,363 people have been added for various reasons and from the recent development, this will continue to be so. But most casino users see the involuntary list as a good thing, as it protects consumers on various levels.

As online gambling becomes more popular, such resources are even more plentiful. Virtually every online casino has a self-exclusion option as well as wager limits that consumers can choose to leverage. Several of these sites will also honor exemption lists within the state in which they operate. The use of artificial intelligence on online gambling sites also means that harmful consumer behavior can be flagged early, and such people can be denied access to the site’s services. Overall, the wave of casino games within Pennsylvania and beyond seems to be followed by deliberate care for those who use them.

Conclusion

Pennsylvania has been a hub for the online gambling space for years, but clearly, the in-person market is still thriving. With the wave of publicity and excitement from these recent lottery wins, more people will continue to buy tickets, and this generates revenue that benefits the state. And as the involuntary exemption list shows, consumers will continue to be protected by the state but also by the private establishments that render them services. All in all, we can expect a thriving and healthy gambling scene in Pennsylvania in the years to come.