Apr 16, 2003 By M. Bradford Grabowski For The 3 min read

HARRISBURG – State Democrat leaders said this summer they will push for legalizing slot machines at racetracks and riverboat casinos in order to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenues for state government. Under legislation introduced Tuesday by House Democratic Leader H. William DeWeese, racetracks, such as Philadelphia Park in Bensalem and The Meadows near Pittsburgh, could immediately install 3,000 slots, with 35 percent of the profits going to fund public education, 40 percent going to racetrack owners and 25 percent going to horse racers in the form of purses and pension plans.

But Republicans, who control the majority in both chambers of the General Assembly, remained far apart on the issue. Sen. Tommy Tomlinson, who’s leading the charge for slot machines in the Senate, said DeWeese’s proposal gives too much money to horse racers, and not enough to the racetrack owners.

“It’s unrealistic,” said Tomlinson, R-6, Bensalem. “We might have some problems.”

The Bucks County Republican introduced a popular bill in the Senate in January that calls for giving 30 percent of the revenues to government and community sources, 16 percent for purses and 54 percent to racetrack owners. Both proposals, House Bill 7 and Senate Bill 20, also set aside some money for administrative costs and gambling addiction treatment programs.

Tomlinson says racetracks need to be able to keep the lion’s share of the profits in order to pay for building first-rate gambling facilities that can compete with the likes of casinos in surrounding states.

That’s not the only problem.

Although not included in his legislation, DeWeese added that he supports having “at least three” riverboat casinos in the state: one each in the east, central and western parts of Pennsylvania. Rep. Mike Veon, the second-ranking Democrat in the House, has proposed allowing up to eight riverboat casinos on Pennsylvania waterways, with some boats possibly stationed in Beaver and Bucks counties. The Beaver County lawmaker reiterated at Tuesday’s news conference that he won’t support slots, unless riverboat casinos are also legalized.

But Tomlinson said including riverboat casinos might be overkill. Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat, also opposes riverboats, but is a strong supporter of slots at racetracks.

“I don’t think I can get [riverboat casinos] through the Senate,” Tomlinson said. “I don’t know if [DeWeese] can get it through the House.”

Getting gambling supporters to agree on a piece of legislation could prove to be the biggest obstacle to gambling expansion in Pennsylvania. Although anti-gambling lawmakers have been pesky, DeWeese estimates that “about 70 percent of” legislators support expanding gambling beyond the current offerings of the lottery, bingo and horse races. But many lawmakers support is contingent upon certain conditions.

“Some will only vote for slots if riverboat casinos are also included,” said Veon, D-14, West Mayfield. “Some will only vote for slots if the revenues go to volunteer fire departments. Some will only support slots if the revenues go to education. Some will only vote for slots if two of three variables are met.”

DeWeese, D-50, Waynesburg, believes that, ultimately, gambling will be expanded in Pennsylvania because money talks. With the state facing difficult economic times, forcing severe spending cuts, lawmakers are looking for new ways to generate money for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins in July. Based on the success of gambling operations in neighboring states, lawmakers expect slot machines to generate $500 million-plus annually for the state’s coffers.