SugarHouse sees big surge in January slots revenue

Aided by warm temperatures, SugarHouse Casino hit the jackpot in January, as slot machine revenue increased more than 50 percent from the previous year.

The casino raked in a cool $15.5 million from slot machines last month, an increase of 54 percent from January 2011, according to figures released today by the state Gaming Control Board. That represented the biggest year-over-year increase among Pennsylvania’s 10 casinos, which experienced a 7.7 percent increase statewide.

Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack was the only facility see a decline in slots revenue, collecting $20.1 million, a drop of 6.8 percent.

SugarHouse has posted lackluster numbers since opening an interim facility in September 2010. Despite the surge, the casino’s slots revenue in January still ranked eighth among the 10 casinos. As usual, Parx Casino in Bensalem topped the list with $31.6 million, an increase of 9 percent from last year.

SugarHouse plans a $125 million expansion, which would nearly double the size of the gaming floor and include a parking garage. Construction is expected to begin next summer and be completed in 2013.