If you build it, they will come.

And they likely will empty their pockets when they get there.

If you are building casinos, that is.

Pennsylvania is now one year into its grand slot-machine experiment. And the one-armed bandits are living up to their reputation.

As of Monday, more than $10.6 billion was wagered at the six slots palaces in operation in Pennsylvania. That comes to about $880 for every person in the state.

Gamblers came out on the losing end to the tune of $913 million.

Of course, Delaware County has a pretty big dog in this hunt.
Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack is part of the economic revival taking root on the city’s waterfront. It has not been open quite as long as some of the other operations, but the numbers it has posted since throwing open the doors last January are equally impressive.

Since they opened their doors on Jan. 22, a cool $2.87 billion has been wagered at Harrah’s. It’s become a destination spot. People are driving into Chester for a night of entertainment.

What I am astounded by is just how much money is changing hands. Take this, for example. After paying off winners, Harrah’s gross revenue comes to $245.9 million.

It’s that chunk of money that is being divvied up between the casino and state for a variety of projects.

Yes, it’s hard to remember that the root of all this interest in gambling was supposed to be tax relief.

The verdict is in on the casinos. People will come. And they will drop their last quarter into the slots.

What is still unknown is how the tax benefits will eventually trickle down to home owners who have long been salivating for property tax relief.

Some of the money also is expected to make its way into development projects. Delaware County wants to use some of the slots money to help fund a proposed soccer stadium not far from Harrah’s in hopes of luring a Major League Soccer franchise to Chester.

Is there a down side to gambling? Sure there is. Is there a social cost that we likely will not face for years? Undoubtedly.

But it doesn’t change the fact that people are going to gamble. And they are going to find a place to do it legally. For too long Pennsylvania watched as its residents drove over nearly every border in search of gambling entertainment.

Now that money is staying here. In fact, just the opposite is happening. Residents from other states are now coming here to scratch their gambling itch.

And neighboring states are now looking enviously at the numbers being posted by Pennsylvania.

The danger now is to see gambling as a cure-all for every fiscal dilemma facing the state. Already there is talk of table games being bandied about in Harrisburg.

One thing has been proven by Pennsylvania’s foray into slot-machine gambling. People are going to wager. That’s a pretty safe bet.
And Pennsylvania is about to hit the jackpot when it comes to distributing all that booty into much-needed tax relief and economic development. Now they need to follow up and make sure they deliver on that promise.

Let the good times roll.