PA casino expansion boosts economic growth and jobs in 2021-2022

Economic impact of new land-based casinos in Pennsylvania in fiscal year 2021/22 evident in PGCB Annual Diversity Report for state casinos.

These new retail casinos (along with increased online betting options) helped contribute to the new record PA gaming revenue as well as economic benefits such as increased jobs and employees.

In July, the PGCB reported its total revenue for the 2021/2022 financial year, which runs from July 1 to June 30, reached a record level of 5 billion dollars for the first time in history. Combined tax revenue from all forms of legal gambling in Pennsylvania exceeded 2 billion dollars for the first time.

In its recent report, the PGCB highlights some of them economic effect as a result of the continued expansion of gaming in the state, including 14,829 of people working in Pennsylvania casinos as of June 30, 2022.

Online gambling and land-based casinos contribute to the overall growth of PA gaming revenue

The previous financial year highs for gaming revenue and tax receipts were in 2020/2021, when they reached $3.87 billion and $1.59 billion respectively.

The large increase in revenue compared to the previous high financial year can be attributed to a number of factors, including record revenue from table games, as well as growth in sports betting and Online casino PA.

Continuation expansion of land-based gambling sector is another key factor.

• Taxable income for the financial year 2021/22 slot machines was in the casino 2.4 billion dollarsa The growth was 27.7%. revenue compared to the $1.9 billion generated in the 2020/21 financial year.
• Taxable income for the financial year 2021/22 board games in the casino reached a a record high of $1 billiona The growth was 40.7%. revenue compared to the $722 million generated in the 2020/21 financial year.

New PA casinos create jobs, economic impact

PA is now home to 16 land-based casinos. Here are the latest additions, including Hollywood York and Morgantown, opening in FY2021/22:

• live! Casino Pittsburgh (Category 4): Opened on November 24, 2020.
• live! Casino Philadelphia: Open February 11, 2021
• Hollywood Casino York (Category 4): Open August 12, 2021
• Hollywood Casino Morgantown (Category 4): Opens December 22, 2021

Casino Parx Shippensburg preparing for opening in early 2023and another mini-casino in Center County pending approval.

In addition to the jobs and contracts with contractor companies created during construction, recently opened casinos:

• Create permanent jobs
• Make charitable contributions
• Facilitate economic development through contracts with retailers and gaming service providers

PA casino employees are growing

The number of people employed in retail casinos increased by 6.9% y/y from an 959 people were additionally employed as of June 30, 2022, compared to the same date in 2021.

According to the 15th Annual Diversity Report, of the total 14,829 people are employed State Licensed Casinos/Resorts:

• 89% of PA residents
• Approximately 43% are women
• 40% racial minorities
• Table Games had 4,703 employees (3,907 were Pennsylvania residents)

Casino executive/managerial/professional staff increased 7.8% y/y (172 additional employees). Of the 2,370 people employed in these roles as at 30 June 2022:

• 36% were women
• 26% were racial minorities

Employment and economic impact of new PA casinos

Here’s an overview of the economic contribution to the Commonwealth’s newest land-based casinos during the 2021/22 financial yearaccording to the PGCB’s annual diversity report.

live! Casino Pittsburgh (opens November 24, 2020):

• Gaming service providers accounted for $13 million.
• Charitable contributions totaled $92,236.
• 586 employed (577 or 98% of Pennsylvanians); 136 board game employees (all PA residents).
• Executive/managerial/professional staff of 73 (70% male, 30% female, 14% minority).
• 481 positions were offered and 281 people were hired.

live! Philadelphia (opens February 11, 2021):

• Gaming service providers accounted for $48 million.
• Charitable contributions totaled $134,901.
• 1240 are employed (884 or 71% of PA residents); 417 board game employees (238 PA residents).
• Executive/managerial/professional staff 126 (64% male, 36% female, 32% minority).
• 736 of the 1015 offered were hired.

Hollywood Casino York (Opens August 12, 2021):

• Gaming service providers accounted for $4 million.
• Charitable contributions amounted to 204,374 dollars.
• 310 employed (301 or 97% of Pennsylvanians); 113 board game employees (105 PA residents).
• Executive/managerial/professional staff out of 67 (61% male, 39% female, 31% minority).
• 377 of the 445 offered were hired.

Hollywood Casino Morgantown (opens December 22, 2021):

• Gaming service providers accounted for $3.2 million.
• Charitable contributions totaled $132,390.
• 308 are employed (300 or 97% of PA residents); 92 board game staff (86 PA residents).
• Executive/managerial/professional staff 67 (male 76%, female 24%, minorities 31%).
• 391 positions were hired out of 621 offered.

Parks Casino Shippensburg

The next PA casino to open its doors will be Parx Casino in Shippensburg, PA. The PGCB is waiting a new casino to build 125 permanent jobs. Economic impact of construction in the 2021/22 financial year:

• The value of the contracts was $11,044,201 ($302,590 for minority and women-owned businesses; $2,613,070 for local businesses).
• $102,500 in donations and charitable donations.

The economic impact of the PA gaming industry is expected to be continue to expand along with gambling in the state.

Valerie Cross contributed to this article.