Photo by PICRYL, PDM 1.0
Pennsylvania iGaming pays big
The life-changing win was already confirmed by the operator and officially named the largest Pennsylvania online casino jackpot — and with room to spare.
According to public records, the previous state high was a $2.3 million wager at DraftKings Casino’s Cash Eruption game in Jan. 2024. The wagered amount is not available.
The new win was part of the Hollywood Casino DropZone Jackpots system of progressive payouts. The increasing nature of the grand prize is very popular with online gamblers at legal iGaming platforms.
Online casinos allows players to compete in table games, slot machines, and games with progressive jackpots. These work by having players opt-in to the progressive pot, which is a pool built by other online players. Opting-in adds a small surcharge to a wager to build the jackpot, with each spin working to grow the prize amount.
DropZone Jackpots are available for Hollywood Casino players in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Pennsylvania limits DropZone jackpot contributions to $.10 per spin, although other states offer $.10 increments up to $.40 per spin. Opting in allows winners to win minimums from $13.75 up to $25,000, depending on the level.
Only three other states have legal and live online casino markets.
Online casinos power gaming growth
Sunday’s $4.4 million win is far from ordinary. Although it’s only about 20 percent of the all-time record, a $22.4 million sum on DraftKings’ Huff N’ Even More Puff, it is also only the fifth jackpot to exceed $4 million in the country’s history.
The two largest prizes were awarded in Michigan, which finished fifth in total gaming revenue in 2025, per Statista. BetMGM Online Casino paid $6.5 million in New Jersey, the third-largest gaming state last year, in Aug. 2024.
Online casino platforms are licensed in individual states, and therefore do not compete across state lines.
While legal iGaming is still legal in a minority of states, many have expressed an interest in legalizing their markets. Maine legalized its market in Jan. 2026 and is expected to open the nation’s eighth legal jurisdiction before the end of the year.
Three of the top five U.S. gaming markets are in states with legal iGaming. Those markets, based on 2025 gross revenue, include:
- Nevada (illegal): $15.8 billion
- Pennsylvania (legal): $7.7 billion
- New Jersey (legal): $7 billion
- New York (illegal): $5.7 billion
- Michigan (legal): $5 billion
Related News
.jpg)
FCA confirms prediction market talks as Kalshi and Polymarket eye Britain
The FCA has confirmed engagement with prediction market operators as Kalshi and Polymarket explore Britain, but existing gambling rules and a retail trading ban remain significant barriers.
Bookmaker racing sponsorship falls 17% as gambling tax rises bite
Bookmaker sponsorship of British racing has fallen 17% this year, with higher gambling taxes prompting operators to reconsider longstanding partnerships.
Rank agrees £5m settlement over Grosvenor casino compliance failures
Outdated anti-money laundering policies and missed opportunities to protect customers have resulted in a £5m regulatory settlement for Rank’s land-based casino business.
1,300 Encore Boston Harbor Workers Still on Labor Strike One Month Later
Union leaders lobbied for a $10-per-hour wage increase across four years, a $25 minimum hourly wage, and guarantees for existing healthcare and pensions.
Brazil Betting Ban Enters Refund Phase as Sites Go Dark
Licensed operators in Brazil went offline on Oct. 6. Banks now handle player refunds while the Supreme Court weighs challenges to the betting ban.
Informa agrees £2.24bn deal for ICE and iGB Live owner
Informa has agreed to buy Clarion Events, the organiser behind ICE and iGB Live, in a £2.24bn deal that will put major gambling industry gatherings under new ownership.
Bank of America Upgrades DraftKings Stock to Buy After Recent Slide
Bank of America upgraded DraftKings to buy after shares fell 47% over the past year.
New Zealand Online Casino Revenue Could Deliver Up to NZ$20m for Communities
New Zealand's regulated online casino market could generate between NZ$10 million and NZ$20 million for community organisations, according to government analysis.
Brazil's Betting Ban Faces Uncertain Future After Bolsonaro Leads First Round
A provisional measure banning fixed-odds betting in Brazil needs congressional approval, and Flávio Bolsonaro's first-round lead clouds its future ahead of the Oct. 25 runoff.
Macau Golden Week Visitors Surge, but Analysts Stay Cautious on Revenue
Macau set a single-day visitor record during Golden Week, but September GGR fell 1.2%, and analysts are cutting forecasts. Here is what the data shows.
Jumpman Gaming wins £13.2m Remote Gaming Duty appeal against HMRC
An Upper Tribunal ruling has wiped out around £13.2 million in Remote Gaming Duty assessments against Jumpman Gaming, potentially opening the door for other online casino operators to challenge tax paid on similar free-spin promotions.
UK Remote Gaming Tax Receipts Jump 108% Following Rate Hike
UK Remote Gaming Duty receipts more than doubled year-on-year in July, offering an early indication of how the government's increase from 21% to 40% is affecting Treasury revenues.
Young adults betting to escape debt: what a new US survey really shows
A US survey raises concerns about gambling to repay debt, but its findings need context. Here is what the research means for younger UK adults.
San Diego Slot Machine Player Wins $1.2 Million at Pechanga Resort Casino
The woman, whose identity has not been revealed, turned a $25 wager into an eye-watering $1,152,944.82 payout last weekend. The $25 bet was the minimum...
Mormon Church Leader Warns Against Sports Betting, Prediction Markets
A Mormon church leader is warning younger people about the growing accessibility of sports betting and prediction markets.
Kalshi Seeks $1 Billion Funding Round at $40 Billion Valuation
Kalshi is reportedly close to raising another $1 billion, which would bring its valuation to $40 billion.
DraftKings Stock Falls to Lowest Level Since 2023
DraftKings shares have fallen to their lowest level since April 2023 amid growing prediction market competition.
Eight Washington Casinos Closing as Maverick Gaming Goes Bankrupt
Maverick Washington LLC, a division of Maverick Gaming, could put up to 850 individuals out of work as part of the widespread closures.
.jpg)
G2E 2026 puts casino investment and industry pressures in the spotlight
Casino executives discussed investment and shareholder pressures at G2E 2026, with Wayne Gretzky among the event’s headline speakers.
Dutch regulator tightens checks after Quick Boys lottery licence fraud
A fraudster used Quick Boys’ identity to obtain a Dutch lottery licence, prompting tighter checks and a warning to consumers buying tickets.
Cedar Crossing Casino Unveils Astronaut Exhibit & Entertainment
The casino’s leadership said that they hoped the complex would be viewed as more than just a destination with slot machines and table games.
Entain Rolls Out BlackRush Before New Zealand iGaming Launch
Applicants have two weeks to make their bids during a “silent auction” that will help determine the first licensees in the country’s history.
PIX Payments Drop 10% After Brazil's Online Betting Ban
Brazil's PIX transactions fell about 10% in the three days after a provisional measure banned online betting, as officials target thousands of sites.
Casino Mogul Leads Lawsuit Against Mamdani’s New York Tax
The tax applies a recurring surcharge to homes worth more than $5 million and co-ops and condominiums believed to be worth more than $1 million.
NCPG Executive Director Resigns Following Kalshi Partnership Fallout
Heather Maurer is stepping down as NCPG executive director following member departures tied to its Kalshi partnership.
Michigan Regulators To Review Concerns Raised in DraftKings AI Reports
Michigan regulators are reviewing player-protection concerns raised in recent reports about DraftKings.
Caesars, MGM Not Interested in Joining Prediction Markets
CEOs of both companies this week made it clear that they would keep the bubbling industry at arm’s reach, continuing with their typical gaming offerings.
Brazil Online Betting Ban: All Sites Go Offline Oct. 6
Lula signed a provisional measure banning online betting in Brazil days before the election. Bettors must withdraw funds by Oct. 5 before sites go dark.
Former Entain Chief Gavin Isaacs Takes Advisory Role at GLI
Former Entain chief Gavin Isaacs has an advisory role at GLI as the testing business prepares for its next phase of growth with CVC backing.
SOFTSWISS Report Puts AI and Regulation at Centre of 2027 Outlook
AI, tighter regulatory oversight and reliable payments are reshaping online gambling, according to SOFTSWISS’ new industry outlook for 2027.
Norway proposes online poker with loss caps to tackle unregulated play
Norway wants Norsk Tipping to run online poker under strict safeguards, giving players a domestic alternative to unregulated overseas websites.
Dutch gambling body takes Meta to court over illegal betting adverts
VNLOK wants a Dutch court to force Meta to prevent illegal gambling adverts, raising questions about platform duties and licensed marketing.
Florida AG: TikTok, Instagram, Google Must Block Sweepstakes Casino Ads
Each company was given a deadline of Oct. 23 to respond in writing detailing the preventative steps they had taken to ensure promotion would not occur.