Slots Casino Tax Revenue In Pennsylvania Grows 18.5% In July

Month sees an average of $3.2 million in tax revenue returned daily to Commonwealth

HARRISBURG, PA: The amount of gross terminal revenue generated in July 2009 through the play of slot machines at eight casinos rose 18.46% over the previous year, according to figures released today by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

The eight casinos in July 2009 generated $179,154,226 in gross terminal revenue compared to $151,240,724 from in July 2008 when seven casinos were in operation. Tax collections by the Commonwealth on that amount last month, based on the 55% rate, were $98,534,824, an average of $3.18 million per day. The casinos’ collective take of the gross revenue for the month was $80,619,402.

The amount of gross revenue generated in July 2009 through the play of slot machines at the seven casinos that were also operating in July of the previous year rose 5.49%.

Board Executive Director Kevin O’Toole says because of the Legislature’s decision in 2004 to require the use of a Central Control Computer System to monitor and collect slot machine- generated revenue, there is no waiting and no guesswork when it comes to the return of tax dollars to Pennsylvanians.

“During July, more than $3 million of tax revenue was billed and collected on average every day from casinos, even as the economy struggles,” says O’Toole. “With the planned opening of another major project next week, the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh, it is expected that we will see a continuing increase in tax revenue for such important items as property tax relief, economic development and projects funded at the local level through the host local government share.”

Comparative gross terminal revenue for each of the casinos operating in both July 2008 and July 2009 are as follows:

Casino	July 2009	July 2008	% change
Philadelphia Park Casino and Racetrack	$30,797,546	$31,254,844	-1.46%
The Meadows Racetrack and Casino	$29,920,634	$23,146,491	29.27%
Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack	$27,274,414	$27,748,266	-1.71%
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Racecourse	$21,065,054	$17,365,641	21.30%
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs	$19,780,569	$18,716,358	5.69%
Presque Isle Downs and Casino	$16,043,208	$16,083,002	-0.25%
Mount Airy Resort and Casino	$14,660,948	$16,926,121	-13.38%
Sands Casino and Resort Bethlehem opened May 22, 2009	$19,611,852	--	--
Total	$179,154,226	$151,240,724	18.46%

The average number of operating slot machines at these facilities was 16,194 in July 2008 and 21,826 in July 2009.

The Gaming Control Board provides weekly updates of casino revenue on its web site, www.pgcb.state.pa.us. In addition, videos and information on the operation of the PGCB, problem gambling efforts and assistance, future meeting schedules and past meeting transcripts, and a link to request a speaker are among the many items available to the public on the web site.

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