Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack’s was one of five casinos in the state with a decline in gross terminal revenues this month, despite state gaming control board reports that overall revenue in Pennsylvania casinos is on the rise.

In fact, August marks the seventh consecutive month the Chester casino has seen slipping revenue numbers.

 In August Harrah’s had a revenue of $25.6 million, down 10.8 percent from $28.8 million in August 2008, according to figures released by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

Even so, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board pointed out that slot machines generated $186.9 million in gross revenue in August, compared to $156 million generated by in August 2008- an increase of 19.8 percent.

Monica Bersani, a spokeswoman for Harrah’s in Chester, said Thursday she “could not guarantee” a response from Vince Donlevie, senior vice president and general manager.

He has also declined in the past to comment on revenue decreases the past few months.

The state currently has nine casinos, with two new casinos going online in the past few months. The Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem opened in May and Rivers Casino opened in August.

Of the original seven casinos, five reported declining gross revenue in August.

Mount Airy Resort & Casino reported the largest decline, 19.18 percent, followed by Presque Isle Downs & Casino, 12.23 percent. Philadelphia Park Casino and Racetrack in Bensalem had a 4 percent decline in revenue. Casinos reporting gains in revenue were the Meadows Racetrack and Casino at $25.4 million, a 15.6 percent increase from August 2008, and Hollywood Casino at Penn National Racecourse with $20 million, a 10.5 percent increase.

Harrah’s Chester took in $27.2 million in gross revenue in July, down 1.7 percent from July 2008, according to the state gaming board.

In June, Harrah’s revenue declined 6.4 percent. Revenue at the Chester casino declined 2.47 percent – from $28.3 million in April 2008 compared to $27.6 million in April 2009.

In March, Harrah’s took in 7.36 percent less revenue, going from $31.6 million in 2008 to $29.3 million for March 2009.

In February, Harrah’s in Chester was the only casino in the state to earn less than February 2008 – by a drop of 1.89 percent.

However, Harrah’s Chester revenue remained the second highest in the state behind Philadelphia Park Casino and Racetrack, which had an August revenue of $30.3 million.

Though revenue is down, it does appear Harrah’s Chester is still hiring. A press release was issued this week stating that the casino has openings for full-time servers, bartenders and line cooks.