Dauphin County Gets $9.1M From Hollywood Penn National’s 2023 Success

Written By Corey Sharp on February 23, 2024
Downtown of Harrisburg, PA, part of Dauphin County, which received $9.1 million in 2023 funding from Hollywood Casino Penn National

Even with the emergence of online casinos, land-based casinos remain as important as ever, especially for their townships. Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course is responsible for raising $9.1 million for hundreds of Dauphin County initiatives in 2023.

A chunk of the tax money land-based casinos generate not only benefits the state, but also the hard-working people in the towns surrounding the casino. Dauphin County is reaping the benefits of Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course’s success.

Dauphin County approves $9 million grant from Hollywood Casino

Pennsylvania is one of the richest gaming states with a strong appetite for gambling. While the PA online casino market gets plenty of headlines, the Keystone State’s retail casinos are still the biggest revenue generator.

The Hollywood brand has a huge presence in Pennsylvania, with four retail locations within the state. They are:

  • Penn National
  • The Meadows
  • Morgantown
  • York

Penn National and The Meadows are Category 1 casinos, while Morgantown and York are Category 4 mini-casinos.

Penn National drives significant revenue for the state, which means Dauphin County is a huge beneficiary. The property produced $9.1 million in tax revenue for the county, which will support emergency responder equipment, food bank resources, school security upgrades, and plenty more.

Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick told ABC27:

“First responders are the big winners. The idea is that we have so many fire departments, EMA departments and volunteer departments that are struggling.”

The proceeds of the grant will support more than 200 initiatives in Dauphin County.

Hollywood Penn National grants benefit several important causes

Every project receiving a dollar from Hollywood Penn National is an investment into the community. While it is difficult to list all 200 projects, here is where the largest amounts of money are going toward:

  • $624,000: East Hanover Township (Annual Road maintenance and repair $384,000; Hershey Volunteer Fire Company assistance with down payment costs for new pumper $240,000)
  • $307,900: Dauphin County Economic Development Corporation (Dauphin County Infrastructure Bank – General Program interest rate subsidy)
  • $299,660: Middle Paxton Township (Debt service payment for DCIB-G Loan on the Potato Valley Road project $38,400; Debt service payment for DCIB Loan on Red Hill Road project $119,040; Rehabilitate local bridge on McKelvey Road $52,220; Dauphin Middle Paxton Joint Park Authority replace deteriorated pool infrastructure and decking; addition of ADA compliant chair lift and new flume slide $90,000)
  • $248,750: Derry Township (Hershey Public Library replacement of air conditioning system $96,000 conditioned upon securing the remaining funds for the project; Hershey Volunteer Fire Company debt service for Engine 48-1 and Attack 48 $150,125; Derry Township Community Cats install shed at location to handle overflow of supplies $2,625)

Hollywood Penn National revenue results 2023

Retail slots accounted for 43.2% of gambling revenue last year, the highest of any vertical. Hollywood Penn National does more than its fair share to contribute to the state. The facility ranked seventh in slot revenue. Here’s the top seven:

  • Parx Casino: $386.2 million
  • Wind Creek Bethlehem: $285.1 million
  • Rivers Casino Pittsburgh: $267.3 million
  • Mohegan Pennsylvania: $182.6 million
  • Hollywood Casino at The Meadows: $166.8
  • Mount Airy Casino Resort: $157.5
  • Hollywood Casino at Penn National: $145 million

Hollywood Penn National finished 11th in table games revenue, recording $26.7 million last year.

The property will continue to have a huge impact on the community, especially Dauphin County, for years to come.

Photo by AP Photo/Matt Rourke
Corey Sharp Avatar
Written by
Corey Sharp

Corey Sharp is the Lead Writer at PlayPennsylvania bringing you comprehensive coverage of sports betting and gambling in Pennsylvania. Corey is a 4-for-4 Philly sports fan and previously worked as a writer and editor for the Philadelphia Inquirer and NBC Sports Philadelphia.

View all posts by Corey Sharp
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