HARRISBURG - The amount of gross revenue generated in December 2011 through the play of slot machines at Commonwealth casinos was almost 14% higher than revenue produced the previous year, according to figures released today by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

December was also a good month for Mount Airy Casino Resort, with slot revenues up 7.6 percent from December of 2010.

According to a report posted on the Board’s web site, www.gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov, the play of slot machines at the ten operating casinos produced $199,062,596 in gross revenue in December 2011.  Compared to the $174,772,637 in gross revenue generated in December 2010, that is a 13.9% increase, even with fewer slot machines operating.  The average combined number of slot machines operating daily was 26,418 in December 2011 compared to 26,907 in December 2010.

Based on the gross revenue numbers, tax generated by the Commonwealth last month was $108,342,971, a per-day average of $3.49 million in tax revenue.  Pennsylvania taxes slot machine revenue at nearly 55%.

Gaming Control Board Executive Director Kevin O’Toole says good weather, an improving economy, and continued fine-tuning of marketing by the casinos likely fueled December’s revenue growth.

"Most gaming jurisdictions, including Pennsylvania, enjoyed good weather in December which made travel easier for patrons," O’Toole observes.  "When you combine good weather with the marketing of a wider assortment of table game options not in place last December along with other amenities being offered at the casinos, factors were in place for a very good month."