Casino revenues up statewide in 2019 but down at Harrah's

Friday 31st January 2020

Gambling revenues were up nearly 4.5 percent in 2019 over 2018, though not everyone was a winner, according to figures released by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Thursday.

Betters plunked down more than $3.4 billion last year across the state's 12 casinos and video gaming terminals operated by other vendors, up 4.47 percent from the $3.2 billion spent in 2018.

Valley Forge Casino Resort saw the biggest year-over-year gains with $165,838,502 in revenues compared to $129,516,848 a year ago, a 28 percent jump. Rivers Casino Pittsburgh and Rivers Casino Philadelphia also both saw revenues up 9.34 percent and 11.90 percent for the year, respectively, taking in a combined $731,256,135.

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Harrah's Philadelphia in Chester saw a 3.3 percent dip in overall year-end revenues, down $253,144,701 from $261,728,144 in 2018. Slot machine revenues at the Chester facility were also down $191,392,632 from $200,066,211 in 2018, a 4.3 percent drop, and table games brought in $59,207,100, a 4 percent slump from last year's $61,661,933.

Slots revenues were about even statewide for 2018 and 2019 at $2.3 billion, while table games rallied 2.8 percent to end the year at $903,594,181, up from $878,796,174 in 2018.

Sports wagering proved extremely popular in its first full calendar year with a total $1,490,167,110 worth of bets made in person and online, resulting in revenues of $84,112,967 and taxes to the state of $30,280,668. Harrah's saw $29,086,252 worth of sports wagering with revenues of $2,544,969.

Truck stop gambling at video game terminals also took in more than $24 million worth of wagers at 100 machines in 20 locations, paying out more than $22 million and generating $2,329,540 in revenues. Fantasy sports revenues were also up nearly 70 percent in 2019 with $25,872,124 in revenues versus $15,309,615 in 2018.

The total tax revenue for the state generated by all forms of gambling and fantasy contests last year was $1,415,879,539, up $35,422,757 from $1,380,456,782 in 2018.