In September 2008 there were seven slots casinos operating in Pennsylvania. Of those seven, three saw lower gaming revenue this September than in the same month last year. However, overall the revenue for the state from the seven casinos rose 4.28% and, with two extra casinos now operating, the revenue increase was 29.85%. Mount Airy Resort & Casino saw an 11.63% fall in slots revenue, Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack was down 3.29% and Presque Isle Downs and Casino just marginally down at 0.05%.

Hollywood Casino at Penn National Racecourse reported a 19.24% increase in its September figures, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs was up 9.52%, The Meadows Racetrack & Casino up 8.55% and Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack up 6.65%. The Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, opened in May, made gross terminal revenue of over $18.4 million, around the average for the nine operations. Rivers Casino, opened in August, made nearly $15.6 million. Gross terminal revenue was highest at Philadelphia Park ($28.66 million) and lowest at Mount Airy ($12.86 million).

Board Chairman Greg Fajt said Gaming Control Board staff continue to perform an exceptional job in meeting the demands of overseeing the growing slots industry, and are poised to regulate the expansion into table games should that be the wish of the State Legislature. “Our staff is an integral part of making sure that the new slots industry is growing and able to facilitate the ability of the casinos to increase both revenue, including those dedicated to property tax relief, and employment.”

He added, “This level of professionalism and hard-work has us prepared to handle the additional demands that appear to be in front of us in making sure table games are rolled out in an effective manner that will ensure additional growth in tax revenue and job opportunities for Pennsylvanians. We are working with the legislature on making sure we have the needed staffing additions to not only help table games come on line within a reasonable timetable, but to make sure personnel is sufficient to maintain the level of integrity, safety and accountability that are now being provided in our oversights of slots.” (E-10.05.09)

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