The PA Gaming Control Board Tuesday released its 10th Annual Racetrack Casino Benchmark Report detailing the impact of Pennsylvania casinos on the Commonwealth’s horse racing industry.
The report covers calendar year 2016, a year in which $245 million of slot machine-generated tax revenue was generated to support the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Fund.
This revenue was used to enhance race purses, assist in breeding operations located in Pennsylvania, provide health and pension benefits for horsemen, and support agricultural initiatives.
The report, along with the accompanying detailed statistical summary, provides 2016 and 5-year historical information on:
-- Slot machine revenue on race and non-race days;
-- Attendance at Pennsylvania’s racetracks;
-- Backstretch improvements;
-- A breakdown of PA Race Horse Development Fund distributions;
-- Figures for breeding of both thoroughbred and standardbred horses;
-- Number of live races held in Pennsylvania and number of horses competing;
-- Purses awarded; and
-- The taxable handle and live racing handle.
Six horse racing tracks operate in conjunction with six casinos in Pennsylvania:
-- Thoroughbred: Parx Casino in Bucks County; Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Erie County; Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Dauphin County; and
-- Harness: The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Luzerne County; The Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Washington County; and Harrah’s Philadelphia Racetrack and Casino in Delaware County
A copy of the report is available online.
