Almost $1 Billion In Penn. Slots Revenue

Slot machine play in Pennsylvania in the 2008-9 fiscal year reached almost a billion dollars, up 24.86% over

the previous fiscal year.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board said the total was $964,701,535.75, and that in June the state was realizing $3.02 million a day from its 55% share of gross terminal revenue. In addition, more than 14,000 people are employed in the industry, either working at the casinos and racinos or in construction involving them.

With four more casinos on the drawing boards, that number is certain to rise. The state’s eighth casino, the Sands Casino Resort at the site of the old Bethlehem Steel mill, opened in May, with 3,000 slots, and another 3,188 were added at new permanent facilities that opened at Pocono Downs and the Meadows during the last fiscal year.

Philadelphia Park’s racino led the gross revenues at the state’s slots facilities, producing $356.2 million. Chester Racetrack produced $319.6 million. Others in order were the Meadows with $264.4 million, Penn National’s Hollywood racino with $219.2 million, Pocono Downs with $216 million.

All of those but Chester were up in gross revenue, Pocono leading the increase from June 2008 to June 2009 with a 37.65% jump, and the Meadows up 19.16%.

(Harness Tracks of America)