Live! Casino Pittsburgh Tax Revenue Pledge Celebrated with Local Dignitaries

Article ByDavid Weir

July 18, 2023

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Posted in: Pennsylvania Gambling News, US Casino News

Live! Casino Pittsburgh, located in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, held a celebratory luncheon at the property’s event space this week to highlight the success of its bespoke tax deal with the local Westmoreland County.

The mini “satellite” casino, operated by The Cordish Companies, has been a significant economic contributor to the county and its municipalities since its opening in November 2020.

On top of the state taxes of 54% on slots revenues and other general state taxes, Live! Casino Pittsburgh also contributes 2% of revenues to a Local Share Account fund for the county. As of the meeting this week, it had raised $21 million in extra cash for the county.

“Nothing makes The Cordish Companies prouder than playing an important role in supporting and enhancing the communities in our area,” said Joe Weinberg, the managing partner at The Cordish Companies, as reported by local outlet The Daily Courier.

Related: The best online casinos in Pennsylvania, rated by experts

A Successful Satellite Casino

Live! Casino Pittsburgh is one of four mini-casinos in Pennsylvania. That’s alongside Hollywood Casino York, Hollywood Casino Morgantown, and Parx Shippensburg.

These Category 4 “satellites” were authorized in 2017 through Pennsylvania’s expanded gaming package, allowing each satellite property to house up to 750 slot machines and up to 30 table games.

Among the four smaller casino venues, Live! Casino Pittsburgh has been the most successful. The 100,000-square-foot facility, which replaced a former Bon-Ton department store at the Westmoreland Mall, generated gross gaming revenue (GGR) of more than $110.8 million in 2022.

In comparison, Hollywood York, the second-most successful satellite, generated approximately $90.9 million.

On top of the $21 million fund, Live! Pittsburgh has paid $40 million in licensing fees and $123 million in state taxes.

“We appreciate our team members, the elected officials and local organizations for their leadership and commitment to building a stronger Westmoreland County through our continued partnership,” Weinberg said.

Huge Benefits

The Westmoreland County government has utilized the new revenue stream to benefit various county services and nonprofit programs.

The funds have been used to purchase fire and police equipment, fund infrastructure improvements, public playground and park improvements, and cover stormwater upgrades. Additionally, the casino money has supported numerous charities, economic development arms, and government programs.

“We knew from the beginning that this was going to be a huge benefit for Westmoreland County, and I am glad to see it happening,” said Pennsylvania State Rep. George Dunbar (R-Westmoreland).

“Otherwise, these projects, funded by Live! Casino revenue, would either be on the shoulders of taxpayers, or they wouldn’t happen at all.”

Notably, $322,990 was given to the Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland, a nonprofit economic development corporation, to support volunteer firefighter companies, the Laurel Highlands Workforce and Opportunity Center, student athletics, and the Southwest Greensburg Borough.

Compared to the whole state Pennsylvania though, Live! Casino Pittsburgh’s yearly revenues are small fry. Its yearly revenue is about 27% of one month for the entire state’s gambling market.

Hollywood Penn National made $58.3 million in May 2023 which was, 18% up on the previous month.

Meanwhile, Live! Pittsburgh’s operators The Cordish Companies may also have had another reason to announce a positive news story this week. It’s opened a subsidiary in North Carolina and is ready to pitch a casino resort to lawmakers in Greensboro.