PRESS RELEASE
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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About the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is tasked to oversee all aspects of gambling involving 17 land-based casinos, online casino games, retail and online sports wagering, and Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) at qualified truck stops, along with the regulation of online fantasy sports contests.
The land-based casino industry in Pennsylvania consists of six racetrack (Category 1) casinos, five stand-alone (Category 2) casinos, two resort (Category 3) casinos and four mini-casinos (Category 4). A significant job generator in the Commonwealth, casinos and the other types of Board-regulated gaming generated $2.8 billion in tax revenue and fees in 2024/25.
Additional information about both the PGCB’s gaming regulatory efforts and Pennsylvania’s gaming industry can be found at gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov.