Plainridge Park Owners Defend Revenue Decline

PLAINVILLE, Mass. (AP) _ The owners of Plainridge Park are defending the performance of Massachusetts' first casino.

Timothy Wilmott, CEO of Penn National Gaming, complained in a letter to state gambling regulators this week that media coverage of the slot parlor and harness racing track has been ``overly negative'' since its July opening.

Monthly revenues at the facility have steadily declined from a July peak of $18.1 million. It posted $11.3 million in gross gambling revenues in December.

Wilmot said such a decline is ``quite common'' in the casino industry following a ``robust opening.''

He said slot machines at Plainridge Park have the highest average revenue among the Pennsylvania-based company's 27 gambling locations.

The facility is Massachusetts' lone slot parlor. MGM and Wynn are slated to open resort casinos in late 2018.