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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Jesse White |
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White votes to add table games at slot facilities
HARRISBURG, Dec. 15 – State Rep. Jesse White, D-Washington/Allegheny/Beaver, today voted for legislation (S.B. 711) that would permit the state’s slot gaming facilities to offer table games like blackjack, poker and craps.
White said the House passed the bill with language that includes a funding formula for more evenly distributing the local share of revenue that municipalities receive from the slots facilities and use to pay for local projects.
"In the past, municipalities have had to compete for their share of slots funding for local projects," White said. "I have advocated on behalf of local municipalities for a more balanced distribution of the local share so that those projects can be paid for without having to raise local taxes."
Under the bill, The Meadows Racetrack and Casino would pay 2 percent of the gross terminal revenues from slots as a local share. The Department of Community and Economic Development would make distributions directly to each municipality in Washington County, with the exception of North Strabane Township, which hosts the casino. Each of the 66 other municipalities in the county would receive $25,000 plus $10 per resident, with the total not to exceed 50 percent of the municipality’s budget for the 2009 fiscal year.
"Slots gaming at The Meadows has already proven to be an economic driver for Washington County and the region as a whole," White said. "Allowing table games at The Meadows and other facilities will fill potential state budget shortfalls by an estimated $320 million over the next two years and continue to create jobs. The Meadows recently announced it estimates 700 jobs will be created if table games were implemented there."
The bill would allow Class 1 (thoroughbred and harness racing tracks with slots facilities) and Class 2 (stand-alone slot parlors) licensees to operate up to 250 table games. Class 1 (such as The Meadows) and Class 2 facilities would have to pay a $16.5 million license fee and be approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board before operating table games.
Operators would be required to pay a total tax rate of 16 percent on all gross table game revenues, with 14 percent going to the state, 1 percent to the host county and 1 percent to the host municipality. Revenue from table games would go directly into the state’s General Fund until the state’s Rainy Day Fund balance tops $750 million – after that, all table games revenue would be allocated for property tax relief along with the revenue from slots.
"I am pleased we passed sensible table games legislation today that helps the state and local governments balance their budgets while positioning Pennsylvania to compete with other states for business," White said.
The bill would also require public hearings prior to the awarding of licenses, prevent political contributions from casino operators, ban felons from being eligible for licenses and increase funding for gambling addiction programs.
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