There’s No Stopping Pennsylvania Casinos, Which Have Another Big Month

March 24, 2016
There’s No Stopping Pennsylvania Casinos, Which Have Another Big Month

For now, seemingly nothing can stop Pennsylvania’s casinos.

Gross revenue at the 12 gaming facilities in Pennsylvania was up nearly nine percent in February of this year when compared with the same month last year, according to figures released by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

The numbers came after a strong January and a record-setting 2015 for PA casinos.

Inside the numbers in PA’s casinos

Overall, February’s numbers show that gaming revenue across the state was up 8.6 percent, year over year. That represents an increase of more than $21 million across all casinos.

The total figures in February of 2016 came in at $268.4 million; a year ago, February accounted for $247.1 million. It was a leap year, so February had an extra day in 2016; however, that would only account for a portion of the increased revenue.

The PGCB breaks down figures by type of game, and numbers were up across both table games and slots:

  • Table games were 6.7% higher than February of last year: $68.2 million compared to $63.9 million.
  • Slot revenue was up 9.3% YoY to $200 million, an increase of about $17 million.
  • The state made $109 million in tax revenue on slots, and $9.7 million on table games.

The full numbers can be seen here.

The winners and losers, by casino

Two of PA’s smallest casinos had the best months, percentage-wise.

Presque Isle Downs was up more than 18 percent, year over year (up $1.7 million), and Mount Airy Casino was up 17 percent (a difference of $2.2 million).

Other notes from the revenue report:

  • Parx Casino continued to lead the way in terms of revenue, with $46.3 million in profits, up about 12%.
  • Sands Bethlehem remains in second place in revenue ($42.6 million, up 14%).
  • Mohegan Sun, Meadows and Valley Forge all had double-digit percentage increases in revenue, as well.
  • Only two casinos — Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh and Harrah’s Philadelphia — failed to see increases year over year.

Pennsylvania casinos still growing?

While some believed a plateau would eventually come for Pennsylvania’s casinos — and it likely still will — that hasn’t been the case so far.

The state will eventually be challenged regionally when newly licensed casinos eventually open in New York. New Jersey voters will get to determine whether new casinos will be licensed outside of Atlantic City, in the northern part of the state. Those developments will likely impact the bottom line of PA’s casinos.

But for now, Pennsylvania continues to enjoy strong revenue figures, and there’s a possibility that the state will also legalize and regulate online poker this year.

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