After months of waiting, state universities may finally be able to start drawing from expected state revenue from table game gambling in Pennsylvania. The state House approved on a preliminary 98-94 vote a proposal to authorize table games such as blackjack, craps and roulette at all Pennsylvania casinos.
The table games bill, the final piece of the 2009-10 budget package, could get final consideration on the House floor Tuesday, after which it would go to the Senate. With that step taken, the House also voted last night to approve delayed appropriations to Penn State, Pitt, Temple and Lincoln universities.
The Democrats' plan would permit the state’s racetrack and free-standing casino operators, including Penn National in East Hanover Township, to pay a $16.5 million fee to obtain the expanded licenses. Profits on the new casino games would taxed at 14% through May 2011, plus another 2 percent for payments to host communities. The tax rate would fall back to 12 % in June 2011.
The measure, unveiled by House Democratic leaders in recent days, would raise the state's number of casino licenses from 14 to 15 and legalize table games such as poker, blackjack and craps at the state's slot-machine casinos. It is supposed to raise $320 million for the state over the first two fiscal years by setting a tax rate on gambling revenue from table games at 14 percent and requiring the casinos to pay millions of dollars in license fees.
In the latest twist to the debate, Democratic leaders Monday proposed in their bill to create a Category III, or "resort," license after ruling out authorizing additional casinos last week. The issue is relevant in the midstate because of Gettysburg businessman David Levan’s interest in developing a casino at the Eisenhower Hotel & Conference Center in Cumberland Township, south of the borough.
But the new license is far from a sure bet. Erik Arneson, a top aide to Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware County, said Monday it is doubtful there is enough support in the state Senate to approve a gaming bill that creates any new casino licenses. He did not rule out, however, the chance that pro-gambling senators could approve a different provision to allow a new round of applications for the state’s lone, unawarded resort license.
Proponents say the measure will help state government raise additional revenue to shore up its recession-ravaged tax collections and provide jobs at a time when many people are out of work.
The Democrats' plan would permit the state’s racetrack and free-standing casino operators, including Penn National in East Hanover Township, to pay a $16.5 million fee to obtain the expanded licenses. Profits on the new casino games would taxed at 14% through May 2011, plus another 2 percent for payments to host communities. The tax rate would fall back to 12 % in June 2011.
The measure, unveiled by House Democratic leaders in recent days, would raise the state's number of casino licenses from 14 to 15 and legalize table games such as poker, blackjack and craps at the state's slot-machine casinos. It is supposed to raise $320 million for the state over the first two fiscal years by setting a tax rate on gambling revenue from table games at 14 percent and requiring the casinos to pay millions of dollars in license fees.
In the latest twist to the debate, Democratic leaders Monday proposed in their bill to create a Category III, or "resort," license after ruling out authorizing additional casinos last week. The issue is relevant in the midstate because of Gettysburg businessman David Levan’s interest in developing a casino at the Eisenhower Hotel & Conference Center in Cumberland Township, south of the borough.
But the new license is far from a sure bet. Erik Arneson, a top aide to Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware County, said Monday it is doubtful there is enough support in the state Senate to approve a gaming bill that creates any new casino licenses. He did not rule out, however, the chance that pro-gambling senators could approve a different provision to allow a new round of applications for the state’s lone, unawarded resort license.
Proponents say the measure will help state government raise additional revenue to shore up its recession-ravaged tax collections and provide jobs at a time when many people are out of work.
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