Online wagering and casino-style games are becoming popular among bettors during the lockdown. This surge comes as casinos remained shuttered and sports betting is subdued because of cancellation of major sporting events.

Online casinos take off

The online casino gaming industry is truly taking off in Pennsylvania and even Michigan is eyeing the option. Ohio is still pondering over its options, in this case, losing out to other states with a more proactive approach. Pennsylvania began its online gambling market in July which allows users to place bets via eight casinos in the state. Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board spokesman Doug Harbach said that as long as the player is physically located within Pennsylvania, he will have access to online gambling. The user can play poker or play slot machines as well.

Harbach said, “As you can imagine, there has been a significant increase since the casinos closed.” The online gaming revenue was up 73% in April on a month-on-month basis. The revenue for slot machines has doubled during this period. The data for May is not available yet.

Michigan is prepping for its new markets

Michigan is the fourth neighbor of Ohio that has started sports betting. Their market launched in March and allowed users to participate in sports wagering in-person in casinos. Virginia and Indiana to have their own sports betting markets. However, Michigan is now looking at the online wagering and gaming opportunity and eyeing a regulatory process that could include the same.

Dave Murley, the deputy director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board, said that the state is working on the regulatory measures necessary for this. However, in Ohio, the state has made only small progress when it comes to sports wagering. Last week, the state House approved a proposal to allow the Ohio Lottery Commission to regulate the video lottery terminals and seven racinos in the state.

The Ohio Senate also has a sports wagering bill which vests regulatory power in the Ohio Casino Control Commission. The Commission already oversees the state’s four casinos located in Cincinnati, Columbus, Toledo, and Cleveland. The good news is that both the proposals are in favor of mobile sports betting as well.