Month sees more than $82 million in tax revenues returned to Commonwealth

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The amount of gross revenues generated in April 2009 through the play of slot machines at the seven casinos rose 13.76% over the previous year, according to figures released today by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

The seven casinos in April 2009 generated $150,658,363 in gross revenues compared to $132,433,621 in April 2008. Tax collections by the Commonwealth on that amount last month were $82,862,100, an average of $2.76 million per day. The casinos' collective take of the gross revenues for the month was $67,796,263.

For the first 10 months of the state fiscal year, slots tax revenues are up 26.2% compared to the previous year, or $775,770,962 in 2008/09 compared to $614,873,716 in the same period in the 2007/08 fiscal year. Operators' take thus far in the fiscal year is $634,721,695.

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

               Casino                April 2009     April  2008   % change    Philadelphia Park Casino and     Racetrack                       $31,122,401    $28,339,918     9.82%    Harrah's Chester Casino and     Racetrack                       $27,639,292    $28,338,514    -2.47%    The Meadows Racetrack and     Casino                          $22,680,896    $19,994,177    13.44%    Hollywood Casino at Penn     National Racecourse             $20,350,353    $14,334,422    41.97%    Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs      $18,842,412    $13,275,191    41.94%    Mount Airy Resort and Casino     $15,262,719    $13,952,335     9.39%    Presque Isle Downs and     Casino                          $14,760,290    $14,199,063     3.95%

The average number of operating slot machines at these facilities was 15,022 in April 2008 and 17,350 in April 2009.

The monthly increase occurred in spite of one facility, the Meadows Racetrack and Casino, operating with substantially less machines for the first half of the month and even closing for one day as it transitioned from its temporary to new permanent facility.

Board Chair Mary DiGiacomo Colins says the dedication of the agency to work with licensed operators to both open and expand in a measured, focused manner is paying significant dividends back to Pennsylvanians.

"The success of regulated gaming can be seen by how the numbers are exceeding projections, even as the economy struggles," says Colins. "With the planned opening of another major project in a couple of weeks, the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, we will see continued growth in both revenues and news jobs in the months to come."

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.

    CONTACT:    Doug Harbach or Richard McGarvey    (717) 346-8321

SOURCE Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board