(WHTM) — The Mohegan Sun near Wilkes-Barre opened in 2006 as the first Pennsylvania casino. It was slot machines only. In the two decades since, there are more games, more ways to play, and lots more money to be made.

Melissa Hall worked at Hollywood Casino since before it was a casino and knows that noon on Tuesday is not the busiest.

“It starts picking up with bigger crowds, usually around like 3:30, 4:00, and then it gets busy,” said Hall.

The casino will soon be densely populated at noon next Thursday, as March Madness approaches.

“March Madness is one of the best times of the year,” said Tony Frabbiele, Hollywood Casino’s Vice President and GM. “It brings a lot of folks to the property similar to what the Kentucky Derby does for racing.”

College basketball will bring lots of bettors to this sportsbook, and lots more will wager online.

“Our goal is to speak to customers wherever we can reach them, and if they’re at home on their couch, we can speak to them there,” said Frabbiele. “Or if they’re coming here, we can speak to them here.”

But online’s been an industry game changer, boosting casino revenues from $2.5 billion to more than $6 billion a year. The state’s take is now $2.67 billion.

“They have tapped into a new market of individuals, not just shifting people from the land-based casinos to online, but really created a new market of those individuals who like to utilize the online sites,” said Doug Harbach of the Gaming Control Board.

“I think COVID was honestly, that timeframe was an accelerator because you couldn’t come to us,” added Frabbiele.

But wouldn’t casinos rather take easier money online, since there are no buildings to staff?

“I believe the brick-and-mortar casino experience is unmatched,” said Frabbiele.

Although online gambling offers convenience, seeing the bells, whistles, flashing lights, and slots that look like video games is an unmatched experience.

“You’ll be hard-pressed to find a handle to pull down on a lot of these machines and you’ll find very few spinning reels,” said Harbach.

“Being around that social aspect of winning, I think that’s what people still come to a casino for and enjoy,” said Frabbiele.

That’s keeps our dealer coming back 17 years later.

“I get a lot of friendly people in since I’ve been here so long,” said Hall. “People come in and say, ‘Hi, Melissa!'”

The most significant change may be the places where you can gamble, whether it be in a casino or on your phone. One thing is a constant: Pennsylvanians love to gamble, and the people who offer it are the big winners.