According to a report posted by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board yesterday, slot machine machine revenue was down by 1% overall in 2017. However, for the month of December, revenue climbed slightly at 1%.
Other information released by the gambling authority was as follows:
- In December 2016, the state’s 12 casinos brought in $185,349,872.22 through their slot games, while December 2017 saw an increase to $187,614,378.63.
- The average combined number of slot machines operating in Pennsylvania in December 2017 was 25,849.
- Slot machine revenue for the calendar year 2017 was the seventh consecutive year in which calendar year revenue had topped $2.3 billion.
- Tax revenue generated from slot machines in 2017 was $1,188,689,755. Much of that amount went towards property tax reduction for Pennsylvania homeowners, funding economic development projects and strengthening the state’s horse racing industry.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board said that it would release final 2017 calendar figures when the December table games revenue report is revealed.
Pennsylvania Gears Up for Gambling Expansion
Pennsylvania, in an effort to bolster its budget, will be going ahead with some of the most sweeping gambling changes seen in the United States in recent years. Last year, the state approved these notable changes, including online gambling, the construction of 10 mini “satellite” casinos and the opportunity for people to gamble in airports and at truck stops.
Pennsylvania hopes to generate an extra $200 million each year from gambling license fees and taxes.
Since October 30th, when the bill was signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf, authorities have been hard at work developing new rules and guidelines for the expanded gambling industry in the Keystone State.
Pennsylvania will be the fourth state in the country to legalize online casino or poker games, joining New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware. The gambling authority will issue Interactive Gaming Certificates, with each online gaming sector (online table games, online poker games and online slot games) receiving 12 licenses. Operators will pay $10 million per certificate.
In addition, travelers will be allowed to use iPads and other computer devices to gamble at airports, while truck stops will be allowed to install up to five video gaming terminals if they meet certain criteria. The maximum payout on these machines will be $1,000, with a maximum bet limit of $5.
