Slow start for table games in Pa.

Table games generated fewer tax dollars than budget revenue estimates projected they would during their first full month of operations.

Table games generated fewer tax dollars than budget revenue estimates projected they would during their first full month of operations. But the Gaming Control Board isn’t worried about the numbers.

Table games brought in $34.5 million for Pennsylvania’s nine casinos last month, and generated $4.8 million in state tax money.

The total is about a million and a half below the $6.2 million monthly total budget officials are counting on to balance the state’s books.

Gaming Control Board spokesman Doug Harbach argues it’s still early, though.

“I think you’ll continue to see the popularity of these table games increase as the casinos and their staff get their marketing efforts expanded. As you see also the number of games and the types of games bring brought in to the casinos being the right mix to meet their patrons’ needs.”

Philadelphia’s Parx Casino was the highest performer, bringing in $887,000 for state tax.

Presque Isle had the lowest totals, collecting $264,000 in taxes.

For the most part, slots revenue at the casinos was about the same as August 2009.