Sports gambling became a reality on casino floors in Pennsylvania in May with a multimillion-dollar trickle, but the state's sportsbook broke the bank in September with the start of the true "gambling season" — the kickoff of the NFL season.

Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh handled $30.8 million in sports bets in September, up 42 percent from $21.8 million in August. July's total for Rivers was $14.3 million and in its first month saw just more than $7 million wagered in June. Rivers' revenue from sports wagering in September was $2.9 million, with $711,729 paid in taxes.

Statewide, wagers at casinos were up 78 percent in September over August, with $194.5 million wagered at nine casinos. August's total statewide was $109 million. Statewide casino revenue from sports wagering was $19.4 million, with $5.06 million paid as taxes.

Of the sportsbook handled at Rivers, $7.3 million was in retail sports wagering and $23.5 million was through online bets.

Statewide, $36.4 million in sports bets were retail wagers made at the casino and the remaining $158.2 million were made online.

Valley Forge Casino in King of Prussia near Philadelphia was the most prolific sportsbook, with $88.5 million wagered, $85.1 million of it online. More than half of all online sports bets in Pennsylvania in September were made through Valley Forge Casino's online service.

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