Mount Airy Casino Resort, located in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, is among the state’s gambling venues that seem to oppose a new proposed legislation, which would allow casinos to open satellite locations with no more than 250 slot machines.
John Culetsu, General Manager of Mount Airy Casino Resort, commented that such satellite facilities would have a negative effect on the revenue the main properties generate. Furthermore, he noted that according to him, their opening would not result in more money being contributed to the state’s coffers.
The satellite facilities language is part of a casino bill, which is currently being reviewed by the Pennsylvania Legislature. The proposed legislation also calls for the legalization of online gambling on the territory of the state. Mr. Culetsu pointed out that he approves of that particular provision.
According to the casino official, online gambling would attract new and younger visitors to the state’s casinos and thus, they would produce more revenue.
If signed into law, the proposed legislation would allow Pennsylvania’s brick-and-mortar casinos open up to two new satellites at locations of their choice. However, both the satellites and the main casino should not feature more than 5,000 slot machines.
Furthermore, a given satellite should be within 20 miles of another gambling facility, unless officials of the two properties decide otherwise.
Under the bill, main casinos would have to pay a $5-million fee to open one satellite. Sen. Kim Ward, Chairwoman of the Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee and sponsor of the proposed legislation, commented that the satellite provisions are to be developed even further.
The legislator also explained that if her bill passes, satellite slot parlors would contribute a portion of their revenue to the host municipality. She said she hoped this would be welcomed by regions that do not feature casinos.
Revenue at Pennsylvania’s twelve casinos amounted to $278 million in May, up 1% as compared to the $275 million generated a year ago. Revenue from table games totaled $66.7 million. In comparison, the amount of $64.2 million was generated in May 2014. Slot machine revenue increased 0.18% year-on-year to reach $211.2 million in May.
Last month, table games generated $9.6 million in tax revenue for the state and its residents. Slot machines produced a return of $112.8 million.
