Pa. casinos on track to generate country's second-highest revenue in 2012

PITTSBURGH — New numbers show Pennsylvania casinos are on path to generate more cash than any other state, except Nevada, in 2012.

Channel 11’s Lori Houy reported that for the second year in a row, Pennsylvania’s casinos are expected to bring in more gambling revenue than any state except Nevada.

“That amazes me. I didn’t think it was that big of a deal here, but it is,” Rivers Casino player Donna Suriano said.

According to new figures, Pennsylvania’s total gambling revenue for 2012 was $3.8 billion, second behind Nevada’s $10.9 billion.

Gamblers at the Rivers Casino said they used to have to travel out of the state to play slots, but that’s not the case anymore.

“This is too close to home. I’m only 10 minutes away from here so I can come enjoy myself,” Aspinwall resident Rodger Sundo said.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board released statistics showing that the state’s total slot machine revenue for 2012 was $2.47 billion. That’s almost a 3 percent increase from the year before.

Slot revenue at the Rivers Casino is about $282 million, almost a 2.5 percent increase from 2011.

“We are very pleased with the overall performance of the casino, and we’re grateful to Pittsburgh and our team members for their support,” Rivers Casino General Manager Craig Clark said.

WPXI