The first month of table games produced quite a win for the state.

The new gambling, introduced July 6 in western Pennsylvania and later in the month elsewhere in the state, generated $1.6 million for the state's general fund, according to figures released today by the state Department of Revenue.

Revenue generated by individual venues last month, including the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh and The Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Washington County, were not available today. They will be released by the state gaming control board later this month.

The state has budgeted $91.4 million this year from table games, which are taxed at 16 percent compared to 55 percent for slot machines.

While individual casino numbers were not available, Dave La Torre, a Meadows spokesman, said table games have proven to be very popular so far.

"I don't think there's any question that table games has met and even exceeded our expectations. The interest and excitement has not died down since we opened them on July 6. At some point we expected the interest to level out but as of right now that simply hasn't happened," he said.

First Published: August 2, 2010, 9:30 p.m.