Casino news source: The Valley - http://www.vindy.com
Casino paying off for Erie, Pa.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
ERIE, Pa. — John Jerioski slides a $20 bill into the nickel slots machine.
The Erie man was spending an afternoon at the recently opened Presque Isle Downs casino. He had been there the previous night when a man won $10,000 on a penny slots machine, and Jerioski thought he would come back and try his luck.
"I like the atmosphere," he said after a waitress handed him a cup of coffee in a Styrofoam cup. "It's been a long time coming for Erie to get a casino. Most of us go to New York. It's nice to play locally."
And locally they have been playing.
Numbers released last week by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board show that gamblers spent $254 million at the slots parlor since it opened in February.
Presque Isle Downs — about 95 miles from downtown Youngstown — is pulling in gamblers from Ohio, New York and even as far south as Pittsburgh, said Richard Knight, chief operating officer for the casino.
"We have exceeded everybody's expectations," he said.
While he couldn't release numbers during a recent interview, Knight said those expectations have resulted in lots of people and cash for the business.
Pay outs
What he could say is that there have been good pay outs to the customers.
"Our slot machines, as a rule, are what we call much looser," Knight said.
By law, all gambling venues in Pennsylvania must pay out at least 85 percent of all profits from slots, but Presque Isle's machines have been paying as high as 95 percent to 97 percent, he said. Figures released last week by the state gaming board show that $230 million, or about 90 percent, has been paid out from the 2,000 slot machines since slots parlor opened.
Of the profits made from gambling, 4 percent is equally distributed to the county and local government, 5 percent to the state for economic development and tourism, 12 percent to the state horse racing industry and 34 percent to a state fund for property tax relief. The other 45 percent is kept by the casino owner.
Mixed reactions
Mahoning Valley residents who have visited the new casino came away with mixed reactions.
William Watson of Youngstown said he enjoyed the trip he took on a chartered bus.
"My take was zero, but I had a great time and spent less than I would have by going to a ball game," Watson said.
But Bob Thompson Sr. of Hubbard said he visited Presque Isle Downs on March 8 and parking was terrible and the slots were tight. He said he'd rather go the extra hour to Seneca Allegany Casino and Hotel in New York.
Nancy DeLucia of Youngstown had a similar experience.
"Slots were so tight you could not even get a little fun," she said. DeLucia said she would rather go to Wheeling Downs in West Virginia.
Both complained about the food.
Jennifer See, director of marketing, said they have been taking visitor complaints seriously.
In response, they lowered the buffet prices and added a larger selection, including a daily seafood item and a carving station, she said. The breakfast and lunch prices were lowered to $4.95 and $7.95 — that's $3 less — and dinner prices were reduced by $2, to $10.95.
Buses
Local bus company owners say they have been sending buses to Presque Isle and will continue to as long as there is a demand.
Jesse Hardin, owner of J&W Crown Motor Coach, said there have been a few kinks, though.
"Some of the people who went weren't happy because the service was slow. It took 30 to 40 minutes to cash in," Hardin said. "Other people complained it was ... too small."
See said they have been working on service issues and have hired an additional 137 people since opening. The casino now employs 787 people.
There is a 1920s flapper theme throughout the 48,000-square-foot gambling area, and popular music is piped in when big winners aren't being announced.
While not as large as some other casinos in the tri-state area, Presque Isle does boast all new slot machines with the latest technology and 250 game themes, See said. Keno will be added soon. Knight said off-track betting will start in July, and horse racing will begin in the fall.
And, he said, they are already talking about adding an additional 1,000 slot machines to the facility. By law, they are permitted to have up to 5,000 machines.
Nancy Loudin and her friend, Betty Homa, both of Mentor, Ohio, spent an afternoon playing the slots and then eating at the casino buffet.
Loudin said it was her third trip to Presque Isle Downs. "I'm a glutton for punishment," she said. |
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