Pa. Board needs money

Claiming it is running out of money, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board reportedly plans to ask for extra funding from the state's new gambling operations, although an initial proposal of a five-percent assessment on top of the 54-percent tax companies now pay to the state led to a backlash.

Pennsylvania regulations allow the board to use slots revenue to finance its efforts. Negotiations between the board and gaming companies, as well as including representatives of Gov. Ed Rendell and the state's Dept. of Revenue, have already begun.

Only Pocono Downs and Philadelphia Park Thoroughbred track are currently operating slot machines, while Harrah's Chester is scheduled to open its slot facility in the next few weeks.

"I think if you look at the numbers, it puts us at an operating loss," a lawyer who is a partner in Harrah's Chester was quoted as saying. "Financial institutions have lent money on the current tax structure, and now you're going to change that tax structure, and we're not even open yet.

"It doesn't make things look too good to the financial world," he said. "Whatever the tax is, it ought to stay."

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