State unlikely to approve table games anytime soon

May 16th, 2008, posted by RobHop

Two casino executives want the state Legislature to let Pennsylvania casinos add popular table games, like blackjack, poker, dice and roulette, to the hundreds of slot machines already available for bettors.

However, with Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat, and many legislative Republicans opposed to an expansion of legalized gambling right now, it doesn’t appear the General Assembly will act on the idea anytime soon.

Testifying yesterday on behalf of House Bill 2121, sponsored by House Democratic leader Bill DeWeese of Waynesburg, were Bill Paulos, a principal of Cannery Casino Resorts, which owns The Meadows harness track and slots parlor in Washington County, and Robert Soper, general manager of Mohegan Sun casino near Wilkes-Barre.

Mr. Paulos said the two casinos in northern West Virginia, not that far from his gaming parlor, now offer table games, which puts The Meadows at a competitive disadvantage.

“We have no doubt lost slot players” to the West Virginia casinos, where they can play table games and slots, he said.

“In northeast Pennsylvania, support of table games is overwhelming,” said Mr. Soper.
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Clean in up First

On May 16th, 2008 Anonymous said:

Looking at all the mess of slots, (DeNaples, etc.) before ANY more considereation or discussion of gambling expansion is even discussed, the board needs to have a long (Years) track record of integrety. At this point they seem to be as crooked as they come.

Massive revenue potenial & property tax cuts

On May 16th, 2008 Anonymous said:

table games attract “real” gamblers and can generate many millions more in tax revenue, which will dramatically reduce property taxes, which have otherwise been soaring. The Philly area market pumps a ton of revenue into the NJ state coffers via table games in Atlantic City; start with a phased approach that introduces table gaming at that casino & use it as a pilot for the other 13 (when they are all complete.)

Property Tax Cuts?

On May 16th, 2008 Anonymous said:

Do you really believe that? I believe the slots were supposed to provide property tax relief. The dollar amount earmarked for my district won’t even make a dent in the average tax bill. Table games, like the slots, will only benefit the casino owners and the politicos in their pockets. The more money PA takes in, the less it seems to have to spend. The turnpike system is available to the highest bidder. No revenue will find its way to its intended purpose until eveyone in Harrisburg gets their cut.

Property taxes are School taxes

On May 17th, 2008 Anonymous said:

Be careful what you wish for when it comes to paying fewer taxes on property that you own. Why would you depend on the whims of addicted gamblers to support a good education system in your hometown? The salability of your
property at the highest dollar depends on the quality of education in your school district in suburbia. You are also depending on no one skimming off the top or padding the books before the checks are cut from the state. Education was the bedrock of success in this nation and this idea will make it into a field of pebbles. Noone should gamble with a good education, have the profits pay for the salaries of the Senators in Harrisburg.