Ohio’s casinos appear to also be having an impact on Pennsylvania gaming establishments. In 2011, PA was second only to Vegas as a gambling mecca with revenues just above $3 billion. In 2012, PA gambling revenues increased to $3.2 billion. So far in 2013, slot machine revenues have dropped three consecutive months. Presque Isle Downs & Casino, located in Erie, PA, has seen its revenues decline 18% since the opening of Horseshoe Cleveland. Another PA casino, Rivers Casino in the Pittsburgh area, saw its share of Ohio visitors drop from 8% to 5%.

Things may yet become more crowded in the area. Assuming Penn National Gaming gets its issues with the racing commission resolved, a new racino with a 1-mile thoroughbred racetrack and up to 1,500 VLTs will be built in Austintown. Penn National Gaming is also looking into a proposed harness racetrack/casino in Lawrence County, PA, a mere 20 miles from the Austintown racino. The PA venture is also having problems – financing and licensing.