The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) reported yesterday that the state’s nine slot machine casinos generated a combined $166,293,583 in gross revenue this November, a 26.73% increase over revenue generated by legalized gaming in November of 2008. The figures also show that the Commonwealth’s tax on that revenue resulted in $91,461,471 being returned to citizens.

Among the uses of that money is the reduction of local property taxes, support of the horse racing industry, funding of economic development projects, and grants to local fire companies. In addition, a portion of that money is retained by the local and county governments that host the casinos to fund road, health and safety projects and other community improvements.

For the first 5 months of the state fiscal year, taxes generated by legalized slot gaming were up 25% compared to the previous year, or $485,265,379 in the 2009/10 fiscal year, compared to $388,207,236 in the same period in the 2008/09 fiscal year. When comparing just the seven casinos that were operating in both November of 2008 and 2009, gross revenue increased 1.02% with $132,553,478 generated this year compared to $131,219,345 last year. The average number of operating slot machines at the casinos was 24,770 in November 2009 and 16,793 in November 2008.

“It is truly exciting to watch this growing industry produce revenues that are being returned statewide to assist our citizens in a number of ways,” said PGCB Chairman Gregory C. Fajt. “As we work to expand existing casinos, open new casinos, and move into table games, this revenue will continue to increase and work toward the good of all taxpayers.”

Comparing gross terminal revenue in November 2009 with November 2008, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Racecourse and Presque Isle Downs and Casino both saw a rise of over 10%. However, Mount Airy Resort and Casino was down nearly 20% and Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack was down just over 2%. Mohegan Sun was down very slightly by 0.1%.

Fajt commented that a major expansion will occur this month at Philadelphia Park Casino as it moves into its new Parx Casino facility next door and increases its number of slot machines. In addition, openings are planned during 2010 for Philadelphia’s SugarHouse casino and at the Valley Forge Convention Center for a smaller resort casino. (E-12.03.09)

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