Baby steps in Massachusetts, leaps and bounds in Pennsylvania

Terrestrial casinos in the Keystone State were off only 21%, grossing $217.5 million. Slots dipped 17% but tables tumbled 32%. Parx Casino was flat but lapped the field with $51.5 million, followed at some considerable distance by Wind Creek Bethlehem ($28 million, -32%) and Harrah’s Chester Downs, enjoying an unusually good month with $25 million, a 26% gain. At the opposite end of the spectrum were Neil Bluhm‘s casinos. Rivers Philadelphia scraped together $8.5 million (-67.5%) and Rivers Pittsburgh did a bit better, its $16 million ‘only’ a 51% declivity. Having a good month was Mount Airy ($18.5 million), up 13%. In declining order of gross the rest of field was comprised of Hollywood Casino at Penn National ($17 million, -17%), Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs ($16.5 million, -13%), The Meadows ($16 million, -18.5%), Valley Forge ($9 million, -21.5%) Presque Isle Downs ($9 million, -19.5%) and Lady Luck Nemacolin ($2.5 million, -18%).

The big news for analysts was the Internet and sports-betting bonanza. Sighed Dustin Gouker, “There is no making up for what was lost during the shutdowns. But with online casinos sustaining incredible growth, major sports back in play, and retail casinos gradually reopening, the industry is thankfully moving forward.” (Handle was only $89 million in June, prior to the resumption of major-league sports.) Added Gouker, “August should be a huge month, with NBA and NHL playoffs drawing bets that aren’t typical in the late summer. That should help Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks make up a little of the revenue lost this spring.” Sports betting was one area where Harrah’s, surprisingly, made little of a dent, less than $250K in handle. Also-rans included Rivers Philadelphia ($13 million), Mount Airy/Fox Bet ($12 million), Rivers Pittsburgh ($10.5 million), Parx ($9 million) and Mohegan Sun ($2.5 million).

Mount Airy also made its presence felt in i-poker, its Keystone State monopoly netting it $3 million. Stadium Casino and Wind Creek come online this month, although they’ve got a lot of catching up to do, aided by Covid-19 confinement. Observed analyst Valerie Cross, “The pandemic has accelerated the maturity of Pennsylvania’s online gaming market dramatically. By comparison, it took New Jersey more than six years to top $50 million of online gambling revenue in a month. Pennsylvania managed to do it in less than a year. That growth has been vital to the stability of Pennsylvania’s gaming industry.”

Just because you’re in Las Vegas, don’t assume that prostitution is legal—or safe. One John found that out the hard way on July 4. Arizona resident Ronald Moore rang up GatorEscort.com for some female companionship whilst passing through Sin City. He rendezvoused with Talisha Ferguson, a known prostitute, near the El Cortez and proceeded to the Westgate Las Vegas in hopes of doing the horizontal lambada. Being afflicted with stupidity in addition to carelessness (and the commission of a felony), Moore told Ferguson that he was in town to buy a house—with cash. He even let her see the money. Feigning menstrual cramps, she stole away from Moore, $90K in hand. Ferguson has a court date this week but as for Moore, we all know what they say about a fool and his money …