Delaware gaming revenue settling down

According to Gaming & Resort Development, national casino and racino revenue has emerged from the recession losses to post a modest 1% gain in 2010. Delaware’s racino revenue rose 1.5%. The combination of the recession and the growth in gaming revenue in Pennsylvania and Maryland has dropped Delaware from an 11% share of regional gaming revenue to 8.7%. The good news for Delaware is that its share has held stable for three straight years, as Delaware offset slot revenue losses with revenue from table games and a sports parlay program. The recovery in gaming is good news for Delaware state government as gaming activity generates almost 9% of the state’s tax revenue. Also, it potentially makes the losses in market share for Delaware’s three existing racinos less painful should casinos be approved for the City of Wilmington and the shore in Sussex County. The social costs of gaming remain a fly in soup.   Dr. John E. Stapleford, director Center for Economic Policy and Analysis johnstapleford@caesarrodney.org

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