Pennsylvania Regional Casinos Prospering

Pennsylvania's expanded gambling has become a model for the rest of the US, as the state's casinos are growing in revenue and bringing new income to the state without deleterious effects that had some concerned.

While Atlantic City and Las Vegas casinos continue to see declines in gambling revenue, regional casinos are seeing increased profits even during the recession, particularly in Pennsylvania. The state has had enormous success with its gambling expansions, and last month saw a thirty percent rise in state casino revenue.

According to figures released by the state gaming control commission, Pennsylvania casinos generated over $172 million in the month of September. That puts the month up just shy of thirty percent from 2008 numbers.

The results are skewed by the addition of a ninth casino this year. Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh opened in August, giving the gambling numbers this year the advantage of an extra venue.

However, even after adjusting for revenue from new locations, the state's gaming numbers still show a rise of almost five percent. And another casino, the Sugarhouse in Philadelphia, is scheduled to open this year.

By legalizing slots and expanding gaming, Pennsylvania lawmakers have built a substantial source of revenue, and retained monies that previously had crossed the border to Atlantic City. Meanwhile, social costs expected in regions containing casinos have largely failed to materialize, according to police and municipal authorities.