Three of the larger casinos to operate in the state of Pennsylvania have recently hired an analyst survey the revenue that would be generated by offering table games in the Pennsylvania casinos.
As stated in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “Pennsylvania could get an additional $165 million in annual gaming revenue if table games were in operation at all 12 of the state’s larger casinos, an analyst hired by three casinos said today.”
Many casinos across the nation are starting to realize the benefit of adding card games to their arsenal of entertainment offered at casinos. The amount of revenue that can be generated from these table games have shown dramatic increase for both the land-based casinos and the state in which they reside. “The revenue would consist of $104 million generated by the table games themselves — poker, blackjack, roulette and dice — plus another $61 million in additional revenue from slots, said Steve Rittvo, chief executive office of The Innovation Group. He said the presence of table games would attract players of those games plus additional slots players who come with them.”
The key to a state generating a profit that would be beneficial depends on whether or not it is properly taxed. Many states have chosen what they deem as a fair tax on these casino games and have profited largely. The profits from these land-based casino games has gone on to fund sports arenas, education, charities and local events that benefit the citizens of the state. “Mr. Rittvo’s estimate of the additional annual revenue was based on a 12 percent state tax on the gross gaming revenue from table games. That tax rate is less than the 21 percent tax rate contained in House Bill 21, a measure introduced by House Democratic Whip Bill DeWeese of Waysnesburg.”
“Mr. Rittvo was hired by three existing casinos in Pennsylvania — Philadelphia Park, Mohegan Sun (near Wilkes-Barre) and the just-opened Sands Bethworks casino in Bethlehem…”
