Sands Bethlehem gamblers lost USD 1.5M a day

Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem is still Pennsylvania’s table games king. But when factoring in slot machine revenue, Sands actually fell further behind Parx Casino in Bensalem Township, Bucks County, for the top spot among Pennsylvania’s 12 gambling halls during the fiscal year ended June 30, a report by The Morning Call highlights.

By the numbers, Sands raked in total revenue of about $539 million, an increase from $533.5 million during the 2015-16 fiscal year, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s annual report, which was released Thursday. That means gamblers lost $1.48 million a day at the casino built on old Bethlehem Steel land, The Morning Call reported.

By comparison, Parx tallied total revenue approaching $557 million, a jump from $543 million in the prior fiscal year, the report shows. Gamblers there lost $1.53 million a day.

Parx widened its lead over Sands because of a jump in table games revenue, from $155 million in 2015-16 to $170 million during the most recent fiscal year. That more than offset a slight drop in slot machine revenue, from $388.3 million to $386.6 million.
Meanwhile, Sands recorded a state-best $235 million in table games revenue, a jump from $228 million in the prior fiscal year. But its slot machine revenue — Sands has about 400 fewer slot machines than Parx — totaled $304 million, a drop from a little more than $305 million in the previous year.