20 Video Gaming Terminal Establishments Operational At Close of 2019

VGT tax revenue in 2019 totaled over $1.2 million

HARRISBURG, PA:  The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) announced today that at the end of 2019 there were a total of 100 Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) at 20 qualified truck stops operating in the Commonwealth that generated over $1.2 million in tax revenue.

All of the locations thus far are offering the gaming under two licensed VGT operators, Marquee by Penn, LLC (15 establishments) and Commonwealth Gaming, LLC (5 establishments). Each of the 20 locations have the maximum of 5 VGTs in operation.

The process to open VGT establishments begins with the PGCB conducting onsite inspections of establishments that have applied to ensure that they adhere to the essential elements under the Gaming Expansion Act prior to approval by the Board for licensing. These are truck stops which:

(1) are equipped with diesel islands used for fueling commercial motor vehicles;

(2) have sold on average 50,000 gallons of diesel or biodiesel fuel each month for the previous 12 months or is projected to sell an average of 50,000 gallons of diesel or biodiesel fuel each month for the next 12 months;

(3) have at least 20 parking spaces dedicated for commercial motor vehicles;

(4) operates a convenience store;

(5) is a PA Lottery Sales Agent; and,

(6) is situated on a parcel of land of not less than 3 acres. 

Following the award and prior to gaining authorization to commence VGT gaming, PGCB staff conducts a rigorous pre-implementation inspection at the establishment to ensure that the video gaming area is in compliance with both the law and regulations.  There is also testing of the machines to ensure that each operates correctly and are connected to the PA Department of Revenue’s Central Control Computer System.

Patrons of VGT machines must be 21 years of age and can self-exclude from participating in VGT gaming through the PGCB.

A total of 52% of gross VGT revenue is collected by the Commonwealth in taxes including 42% deposited into Pennsylvania’s General Fund and 10% of the gross revenue used for grants under the administration of the Commonwealth Finance Agency. Since the first VGT establishment was launched in August 2019, tax revenue through December 31, 2019 was $1,211,361 based on gross revenue of $2,329,540.

Truck Stop VGT adjusted revenue for each terminal operator during 2019 is as follows:

¹ operates VGTs in 15 establishments

² operates VGTs in 5 establishments

VGT establishment locations that are operational as of December 31, 2019 are alphabetical as follows, with the operator noted:

·         Bald Eagle Truck Stop in McElhattan (Clinton County)¹

·         Emlenton Truck Plaza in Emlenton (Venango County)¹

·         Keystone Restaurant & Truck Stop in Loretto (Cambria County)¹

·         Kwik-Fill #229 in Harrisville (Venango County)¹

·         Rutter’s Store #4 in Wrightsville (York County)²

·         Rutter’s Store #8 in York (York County)²

·         Rutter’s Store #15 in York (York County)²

·         Rutter’s Store #16 in York (York County)²

·         Rutter’s Store #36 in York Springs (Adams County)²

·         Rutter’s Store #37 in Mifflintown (Juniata County)²

·         Rutter’s Store #56 in New Cumberland (York County)²

·         Rutter’s Store #60 in York (York County)²

·         Rutter’s Store #69 in Hamburg (Berk County)²

·         Rutter’s Store #79 in Duncansville (Blair County)²

·         Snow Shoe Travel Plaza in Snow Shoe (Centre County)¹

·         Travel Centers of America #68 in Lamar (Clinton County)²

·         Travel Centers of America #213 in Greencastle (Franklin County)²

·         Travel Centers of America #336 in Carlisle (Cumberland County)²

·         Travel Centers of America #3 in Brookville (Jefferson County)²

·         Travel Centers of America #212 in Bloomsburg (Columbia County)²

¹ Operated by Commonwealth Gaming   ² Operated by Marquee by Penn

A detailed revenue report for the month of December and for calendar year 2019 will be available on the PGCB website after January 15^th.

About the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is tasked to oversee all aspects of gambling legalized under 2004’s Race Horse Development and Gaming Act and the Gaming Expansion Act of 2017. In addition to slot machine and table games gambling at land-based casinos, the expansion includes online casino games available to date on five sites; sports wagering offered through sportsbooks at 12 locations and through eight online outlets; video gaming terminals (VGTs) offered as of this date at 20 qualified truck stops; and, fantasy sports contests through eight providers.

The mature land-based casino industry in Pennsylvania currently consists of 10 stand-alone and racetrack casinos in operation, along with the two smaller resort casinos.  These facilities collectively employ over 16,000 people and annually generate over $1.4 billion in tax revenue from slot machine and table games play. Construction of a 13^th casino is currently underway along with a number of new “mini-casinos” that are expected to begin operation over the next couple of years.

Additional information about both the PGCB’s gaming regulatory efforts and Pennsylvania’s gaming industry can be found at https://gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov  . You can also follow the agency on Twitter by choosing @PAGamingControl.