2009 Slots Play Returns $1.08 Billion to Commonwealth

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- Even with a five-day closure of Pennsylvania's largest slots revenue producer, figures released today by the Gaming Control Board show growth in revenue among all key measurements at the Commonwealth's casinos.

With the opening of two more casinos during 2009, nine slot machine facilities now operate in Pennsylvania. Together, those casinos generated a combined $155,048,230 in gross revenue this December, a 28.14% increase over revenue generated by legalized gaming in December of 2008.

As a result, the amount of revenue returned to Pennsylvania taxpayers in December totaled $85,262,971. This revenue is generated from a 55% tax rate on gross revenue. The money is used for such items as local property tax reduction, the funding of road, safety and community improvement projects in the municipalities and counties that surround the casino locations, and to assist Pennsylvania's horse and harness racing industries.

December's figures also showed that the seven casinos currently in operation that were also operating last December produced a 1.4% increase this year. This increase was achieved even though parx casino (Philadelphia Park) was closed for nearly five full days preparing for the opening of its new permanent facility in Bensalem, Bucks County.

Tax revenue from casinos during calendar year 2009 topped $1 billion and was 21.60% over 2008. From January through December of this past year, tax revenue was $1,080,472,555 compared to $888,561,167 in calendar year 2008.

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

    Casino                     December 2009  December  2008  % change    
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--    Philadelphia Park Casino     and Racetrack             $26,370,179.08  $26,674,661.18     -1.14%    
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---    Harrah's Chester Casino     and Racetrack             $24,109,717.93  $23,764,549.18      1.45%    
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--    The Meadows Racetrack and     Casino                    $17,881,798.31  $18,323,828.49     -2.41%    
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---    Hollywood Casino at Penn     National Racecourse       $17,494,224.18  $13,913,402.47     25.74%    
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---    Sands Casino Resort     Bethlehem                 $17,172,883.14    
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--    Mohegan Sun at Pocono     Downs                     $16,580,984.36  $15,682,459.50      5.73%    
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--    Rivers Casino              $15,177,539.42    
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--    Presque Isle Downs and     Casino                    $10,548,833.28  $10,614,002.58     -0.61%    
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---    Mount Airy Resort and     Casino                     $9,712,070.65  $12,027,268.70    -19.25%    
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--    Statewide Total           $155,048,230.35 $121,000,172.10     28.14%    
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The average number of operating slot machines at these facilities was 24,754 in December 2009 and 16,712 in December 2008.

"December was a very eventful and successful month for the PGCB and Pennsylvania's casino industry," says Executive Director Kevin O'Toole. "In addition to our oversight of the managed growth of the slots casino industry, our staff also guided the successful on-time opening of the parx casino."

O'Toole adds that 2010 will be tremendously challenging for PGCB staff as it prepares for the openings of two more casinos and the Commonwealth's probable move into table gaming.

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