Jan 16, 2026 5 min read

Across Pennsylvania, casinos are adjusting to the preferences of adults who grew up with console gaming, streaming and mobile apps, introducing skill-type games and exploring esports to stay relevant in a changing entertainment landscape.

On weekends at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows, you will see a mix of long-time slot players, racing fans and more adults in their twenties and thirties checking electronic games and sportsbook screens. This shift is taking place statewide as operators try to balance familiar casino experiences with new options that reflect how over-21 visitors already engage with digital entertainment.

The industry is evolving during a period of strong demand. Pennsylvania’s regulated gambling market exceeded $6.1 billion in revenue during the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year, according to state reports, with online casino play growing at a faster rate than in-person gaming. A Penn State study also showed increased online gambling participation among adults. These patterns explain why operators want to stay competitive with experiences that make sense both on a phone and inside a physical venue.

How Online Play Shapes Your Visit

If you gamble in Washington County, your first interaction with a casino may now begin on a screen. You might compare odds, look at game menus or scan promotions before deciding whether a trip to The Meadows fits into your plans.

This is where national comparison tools can help. If you want clear explanations of licensing, safety standards and state-by-state availability, resources evaluating the top casino sites in the United States will give you a grounded overview. This particular guide reviews regulated American operators, outlines game libraries, payment options and mobile performance, and explains how states like Pennsylvania allow full online casino play. If you split your time between apps and physical venues, guides like this help you understand which operators are legal and why some platforms earn higher trust scores than others.

For residents in Bethel Park, these choices often sit alongside the wider mix of local errands, community events and weekend planning.  

Skill Games and Interactive Play

Skill-style terminals have become one of the most discussed topics in Pennsylvania’s gambling landscape. These machines resemble slot games but include a minimal element of player choice and appear widely in bars and clubs. Their growth has created questions about taxation, oversight and what counts as regulated gaming.

Casinos across Pennsylvania have been watching closely as these machines have altered what some adults expect when they enter a venue. Operators at The Meadows say the challenge is not the games themselves but the uncertainty surrounding how they should be regulated. If the state sets firm rules, casinos could introduce their own versions of interactive entertainment under full oversight, keeping those players inside a venue that supports local revenue instead of losing them to unregulated rooms.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s revenue updates show how important the sector is statewide. Slots and table games generated several billion dollars during the past fiscal year and supported thousands of direct and indirect jobs. These figures explain why operators want predictable rules. Stable regulation allows them to plan upgrades, hire staff and make long-term investments that benefit surrounding communities.

Esports and Changing Entertainment Preferences

Esports is another area where casinos are reassessing their entertainment mix. Competitive gaming now commands global audiences, and many adults who visit sportsbooks already follow major tournaments on streaming platforms.

A new esports program at the University of Suffolk recently highlighted how gaming-related education is changing. Students are being trained in areas like broadcasting, production, live event management and digital operations rather than game play itself. The idea is to build technical and commercial skills that transfer across multiple industries. These are the same capabilities casinos may draw on if they introduce esports viewing nights or partner with organizers to run small competitive events inside their sportsbook lounges.

In Harrisburg, legislators have been reviewing whether Pennsylvania’s 2017 gaming expansion law should be updated to include esports wagering. Early proposals would allow licensed sportsbooks to offer bets on approved events. While that process continues, several casinos in the Pittsburgh region have redesigned sportsbook lounges where guests can watch multiple matches at once, enjoy food and drinks and stay for extended periods. These flexible spaces can adapt quickly if demand for esports increases.

Looking outside Pennsylvania adds useful context. In South Korea, competitive gaming has grown into a full professional ecosystem supported by major companies, specialist training programs and arena-level events. The scale of that market shows how deeply competitive gaming has entered mainstream entertainment. Pennsylvania is not attempting the same model, but the direction of travel explains why casinos here are watching the space closely.

Local Impact in Washington County

Casino activity connects directly to public services. Revenue shared through county programs has supported infrastructure improvements, emergency services and local development. Previous allocations from The Meadows helped fund sewer upgrades and contractor services that rely on steady economic activity.

For households in South Fayette, entertainment decisions often overlap with residential growth and commute patterns across the region. 

As casinos add interactive games and explore esports events, they must balance innovation with responsible gambling requirements and clear consumer protections. If these efforts succeed, Washington County could continue to benefit from jobs, hospitality spending and private investment. If operators fall behind, more activity may shift to out-of-state or offshore platforms that do not contribute to the local economy.

For now, the mix of mobile research, interactive play and upgraded sportsbook lounges reflects how adults approach gambling in 2026. As you decide how and where to play, those choices will help shape the next chapter of gaming in southwestern Pennsylvania.