Cleveland-area residents Arnold McClain and his wife, Lottie, celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary by spending two nights in Erie.
The draw was Presque Isle Downs & Casino, where they could play the slot machines.
They spent $500 to $1,000 on gambling, their hotel room, food and gasoline on their mini-getaway to Erie, said Arnold McClain,
The McClains are just two of many examples of what the 4-year-old casino on Route 97 in Summit Township means to the Erie County tourism economy.
John Oliver, president of Visit Erie, the county's tourism promotion agency, said that tourists spend $920 million annually here on hotels, restaurants, retail stores, attractions and gasoline.
Oliver said the research compiled by a state-hired consulting firm doesn't say how much of those tourism dollars are generated by the casino.
But Oliver said there's no disputing the effect.
"It provides an entertainment option for visitors that in many cases, I believe, is encouraging (them) to stay longer than they might have,'' he said.
The casino's extensive advertising and promotions also get Erie's name out to "a wider circle'' of potential tourists, he said.
And Oliver said the casino is one of the county's largest employers, with more than 950 on the payroll and another 125 hired during the May-through-September thoroughbred horse racing season. The county's largest employer is GE Transportation, with nearly 4,500 employees.
While the casino has helped to pump up the bottom line for some businesses, it hasn't spun off new development near the casino, at least not yet.
Nancy Agostine, Summit Township zoning administrator, said she's heard recently from potential developers who would build near the casino. She declined to name the type of businesses because the talks are still in the early stages.
Big numbers
The casino has produced some eye-popping numbers in its four years, including more than $8.3 billion in wagers on its 2,030 slot machines that have produced a total of $666 million in gross revenue. The state gets 55 percent.
And some of that money comes back to the Erie community.
From its opening in February 2007 through 2010, the local share from slots revenue has generated $46.7 million for Erie County and $4.6 million for Summit, the host community, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The agency regulates the state's casino industry.
Summit has used its money to provide tax breaks to residents, improve parks and roads, help finance a new volunteer fire hall and build its cash reserves.
Half of an estimated $12 million in annual revenue goes to Erie County government, which can use the money as it sees fit.
The county's share has gone to fund projects such as the planned Erie International Airport runway extension and planned Tullio Arena renovations.
The other half, known as a "restricted'' account, goes to the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority for distribution. Millions of dollars from 2008 and 2009 were tied up because of lawsuits that Summit, Greene, McKean and Waterford townships filed against the authority over who gets the money and how much.
A settlement was reached in December that spells out how much Erie County government, those four townships and Millcreek Township will get -- 25 percent off the top from the years in question and subsequent years, said Tom Kidd, the authority's executive director.
Summit's money is in addition to what it gets as a local share for being the host municipality, and Erie County government's funding is in addition to its half of the pot.
The Gaming Revenue Authority will award grants for "economic development'' purposes from the remaining 75 percent, Kidd said. It will award grants to regional and community assets, and for capital projects, economic-development projects, social services and discretionary funding.
Three local taxing authorities also benefit financially from the casino's payment of real-estate taxes.
For the 2010-11 tax year, the Fort LeBoeuf School District received $1.5 million, and for the 2010 tax year, Erie County government got $678,752 and Summit Township received $78,533, according to Summit tax collector Debra Cameron.
For the 2010-11 tax year, the Fort LeBoeuf School District received $1.5 million, and for the 2010 tax year, Erie County government got $678,752 and Summit Township received $78,533, according to Summit tax collector Debra Cameron.
Winners and losers
Fred Buro, the casino's general manager, said a lot of different groups have benefited from the casino, including employees, customers, stockholders and the community.
"I think it means a lot to the community because the community took ownership of this project and stands behind it,'' he said.
One of those people is Erie resident John Scire, 70, a retired president of a hair restoration company. He took a moment from playing a $5 video poker machine to talk about what the casino means. "I think it's a great improvement. It brings money to the Erie area,'' he said.
Scire visits the casino two or three times a week to play the slots and table games.
He's there enough to give an evenhanded critique. He'd like to see a more private area for high rollers and a better-tasting buffet, but he praised the menu at what is now called Sensory 3 Bar Grille and Ultra Lounge (former La Bonne Vie). He also lauded the casino's employees.
"I think they go above and beyond, and I don't use (those words) lightly,'' he said.
Scire also knows when to quit playing.
He put $100 into the video poker machine, but cashed out with $585 in winnings.
With any kind of gambling, "time will get you,'' he said.
"Winners come back. Losers don't,'' he said.
But enough winners and losers are going back to produce some big-time numbers for the casino, the state and the community.
But enough winners and losers are going back to produce some big-time numbers for the casino, the state and the community.
JOHN GUERRIERO can be reached at 870-1690 or by e-mail.
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