Pennsylvania’s gaming revenue was up in August thanks to a small boost from slots.
Numbers released by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) this week showed total gaming revenue across the state’s 12 casinos rose 2.8 percent over August of last year. Statewide total gaming revenue hit more than $275 million last month, $7.5 million above August 2017 totals.
Total gaming revenue is the combination of slot machine and table games revenue.
Table game revenues dipped 1.33 percent last month, from $74.2 million to $73.2 million. However, slot machine revenues picked up the slack.
In fact, August 2018 slot machine revenue at PA’s 12 casinos rose above the $200 million mark, representing a 4.4 percent jump over August 2017 figures of approximately $193 million.
The state’s 1,275 table games in operation throughout August generated more than $11 million in tax revenue. However, the tax revenue generated by the state’s 25,511 slots put that to shame. Slots put more than $105 million into the state’s coffers last month.
Parx widens its gaming revenue lead
Parx Casino widened its lead over Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem as the top-grossing casino in the state in August.
In fact, Parx posted more than $52 million in total gaming revenue throughout the month, an 8.51 percent jump from last August.
Sands held onto second place posting $44.4 million in total gaming revenue, despite that representing a 1.43 percent drop from the same month in 2017.
Sands also managed to hold on to the table games revenue lead in PA. This despite the casino’s table games revenue dropping 6.35 percent to $18.6 million.
Of course, Parx’ $34.7 million in slots revenue was tops in PA. It represented an 8.57 percent jump over its own numbers from August 2017 and was well above the $25.7 million posted by runner-up Sands.
Parx’ 8.51 percent jump in total gaming revenue represented the largest percentage change among the state’s 12 casinos. However, it was followed closely by Pittsburgh’s Rivers Casino. Rivers saw its total gaming revenue rise 8.16 percent, from $27.7 million in August 2017, to $29.9 million last month.
Rivers is the third-highest grossing casino in PA, above Philadelphia’s SugarHouse Casino in fourth. Both casinos are Rush Street Gaming properties.
Mohegan Sun Pocono saw the largest percentage drop in total gaming revenue last month. Its total gaming revenue dipped 5.54 percent from $20.6 million to $19.5 million.
Lady Luck brings up the rear
Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin continued to be the state’s poorest performing casino. It also got the news in August Churchill Downs is taking over management as a part of Churchill Downs’ purchase of Presque Isle Downs and Casino.
Lady Luck’s total gaming revenue dropped 4.19 percent, from $2.9 million in August 2017, to $2.7 million last month. It was the only PA casino to post under $10 million in total gaming revenue last month.
Below is a table showing total gaming revenue for all 12 casinos in PA and statewide totals.
| Casino | August 2018 Total Gaming Revenue | August 2017 Total Gaming Revenue | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parx Casino | $52,172,737 | $48,080,224 | 8.51% |
| Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem | $44,437,750 | $45,081,674 | -1.43% |
| Rivers Casino | $29,976,472 | $27,714,260 | 8.16% |
| SugarHouse Casino | $24,652,705 | $23,069,926 | 6.86% |
| Harrah's Philadelphia | $21,225,725 | $20,866,442 | 1.72% |
| The Meadows | $20,284,299 | $21,331,372 | -4.91% |
| Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course | $20,043,684 | $18,859,275 | 6.28% |
| Mohegan Sun Pocono | $19,541,451 | $20,687,196 | -5.54% |
| Mount Airy Casino Resort | $17,752,347 | $17,338,475 | 2.39% |
| Presque Isle Downs and Casino | $11,460,245 | $11,538,645 | -0.68% |
| Valley Forge Casino Resort | $10,683,577 | $9,991,352 | 6.93% |
| Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin | $2,779,807 | $2,901,452 | -4.19% |
| Statewide Total | $275,010,801 | $267,460,292 | 2.82% |