Table games still not approved in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell told reporters on Tuesday that he isn't optimistic that table games will be approved by the Pennsylvania legislature by Jan. 8. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that when asked about the bill, Rendell replied: "I have waited and waited and waited on this. right now I am not sure we will ever have a table games bill."

 

The Post-Gazette story also said that if the table games bill isn't approved, the transfer to the general fund of $47 million in slot revenue that now goes to the horse industry will not take place.

 

Rendell's 2009-10 budget includes $250 million in revenue and license fees from table games at state casinos. However, legislators have needed to pass a bill that provides for the details for implementing games.

 

According to reports, the biggest hurdle to the bill has been whether or not to add one license for a resort casino. The 2004 slots bill permitted two "resort" licenses and one has been awarded, but now others have expressed interest. The Senate has been opposed to adding additional licenses in the state.

 

Pennsylvania Senate and House leaaders insist they are continuing to work on the bill this week and will pass a table games bill by Jan. 8.