Pennsylvania News Briefs

PENNSYLVANIA -- As reported by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette: "Weekend patrons who sometimes filled The Meadows Racetrack & Casino to 90 percent of capacity
  helped the new slots parlor generate slightly less than $5 million in revenue its first week, making its debut a success in the views of both casino and state officials.

"The slot machine facility in North Strabane generated about $2 million more from June 11 through Sunday than Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Erie County did last week. The Presque Isle casino opened Feb. 28 with 2,000 machines, compared with the 1,738 at The Meadows.

"TThe slots at The Meadows brought in less revenue than two Philadelphia-area racetrack casinos with more machines. Harrah's Chester Casino & Racetrack, with 2,735 machines, earned $5.8 million, and Philadelphia Park Casino and Racetrack brought in $5.5 million from 2,231 slots..."

Pennsylvania Casinos Face Shutdown

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania -- As reported by the Pennsylvania Post-Gazette: "The state's five new racetrack casinos, including The Meadows in Washington County, could be shut down as soon as July 7 if Gov. Ed Rendell can't reach agreement with state legislators on a new $27 billion budget for 2007-08.

"Sixteen Revenue Department employees who run the central casino control computer aren't considered 'essential' by the Rendell administration, but the thousands of slots players who flock to the state's five casinos each day would probably disagree.

"Those 16 workers monitor daily activity at the 9,000 slot machines around the state, and without them, the casinos would, by law, be forced to close, state officials said yesterday..."