Slots Revenue Down Statewide For 5th Straight Month
WASHINGTON, Pa. (KDKA) -- It's a day for celebrating at The Meadows. It's the opening of a new dining attraction, The Carvery."
"This is just another investment into our casino," said Bill Paulos, the co-CEO of Cannery Casino Resorts.
But on the gaming floor, there are signs of trouble. Revenue from slot machines is down statewide for the fifth straight month.
The Meadows General Manager Sean Sullivan says bad weather is the main reason, but not the only one.
"Ohio casinos now up and running," said Sullivan. "We have three casinos in Cleveland, couple of casinos down in Columbus. Our customers were coming from there and still do."
Sullivan says a newer casino at Nemacolin Resort is also luring gamblers away in western Pennsylvania.
He admits the novelty of gaming in Pennsylvania may be wearing off.
"The casinos in our area now are getting to be five years old, seven years old," Sullivan said. "The Meadows has been here for seven years, so the customers don't approach it as enthusiastically or as repetitiously as they may have in the first year or two.">
Still, the start of spring brings reason for optimism.
"The Meadows isn't going to slow down. We're not going to take a break. We're absolutely going to compete very aggressively," said Sullivan.
Statewide tax revenue from slot machines was nearly $116 million last month.
Those dollars fund property tax reductions and public projects.
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