Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem once again led the pack in total gaming revenue in January.
According to figures released by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), total revenue at the state’s 12 casinos in January came to $255.9 million compared to the $247 million that was collected in the same month last year. The Keystone State collected $108.85 million in gambling tax revenues
Slot machine operations generated a total of $184.8 million, representing a 2.1% improvement over the $180.9 million that was taken in January 2015. Parx Casino was the top slots earner, making $30.9 million, followed by Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem with $23.4 million and Rivers Casino with $21.3 million.
According to PGCB, slot machine revenues were 5% higher during the first 21 days of the month, but a winter storm made it difficult for patrons to reach state casinos, and therefore resulted in lower than usual weekend revenues for gambling operators. Still, the state collected $98.75 million in slot machine tax revenues in January.
Pennsylvania’s table games also reported positive growth last month, with revenues coming in at $71.09 million, up 7.7% from the $66.02 million that was taken in January 2015. This resulted in $10.1 million being channeled towards state coffers.
Sands Casino topped the table list with $21m followed by Parx Casino with $12.6 million and SugarHouse with $10.6 million.
In total gaming revenue, Sands Casino earned $44.4 million, closely followed by Parx Casino with $43.6 million.
Gaming officials food allowance too much
Results of the recent audit of the PGCB were announced on Wednesday by the office of Auditor General Eugene DePasquale.
DePasquale reported that operating expenditures in 2014-15 dropped 23% to $2.7 million from 2008-09 audit, due to reduction in travel expenditures. However, something else caught his eye. The food allowance for members traveling to Pittsburgh is $177.50. That’s more than double the $71 allowed for other staffers of the agency.
“I’ve been to Pittsburgh, born and raised there,” said DePasquale, who formerly represented York County in the state House. “One hundred seventy-seven? Pittsburgh’s not Manhattan — that’s a lot of food.”
DePasquale recommended that the PGCB change its policy so board members are no longer allowed to spend more than staff on food while on trips.
PGCB spokesman Doug Harbach, said board members don’t actually spend as much on food as the rules allow; that they must provide receipts, adding, the board will take a look at the auditor general’s recommendation.
“There are no instances where the board came close to that amount in its actual expenditures,” Harbach told Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “For the most part, the vast majority of the submitted expenses were at, slightly over, or under the regular per diem rate.”
