Slot machine bill still must pass Pa. House
HARRISBURG – When the state Senate passed legislation allowing slot machines at horse racetracks last week, Gov. Ed Rendell hailed it as “a major step toward legalizing slot machines.” But another big step remains. The state House of Representatives won’t take up the legislation until next week at the earliest. And when they do finally take it up, expect lots of debate. The move to legalize slot machines at horse racetracks in Pennsylvania faces various obstacles. Gambling opponents plan to do everything short of filibustering to delay and, ultimately, defeat the bill.
“You know the House always fights,” said Rep. Paul Clymer, a Bucks County Republican who’s leading the effort to defeat slots. “The Senate [tends to be] more gentlemanly. Not that we’re going to be nasty, but we’re more passionate … I’m optimistic we can win the fight.”
Meanwhile, gambling proponents, such as House Minority Whip Mike Veon, a Beaver County Democrat, want to expand the bill to allow slot machines at locations in addition to racetracks. Such an amendment could effectively kill the bill, since many senators have said they will support slots at racetracks only.
“I don’t know that they’re bluffing,” said Barbara Fajt-Grill, spokeswoman for House Minority Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Waynesburg. “However, I do know the legislative process and Reps. DeWeese and Veon understand the legislative process, and that [involves] the art of compromise. So, if we present them with a plan that they can’t refuse, then perhaps we’ll change their mind.”
Veon, D-West Mayfield, favors riverboat casinos. His proposal allows for up to eight riverboats along state waterways, including possibly one in Beaver and Bucks counties.
Other House members are interested in putting slots at popular tourist destinations, such as Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa in Fayette County and the Philadelphia Convention Center.
“Certainly, with gaming we can do better than what the Senate has sent us,” Fajt-Grill said. “Pennsylvanians spend $3 billion a year outside of the state and, with the Senate bill, they might spend a little less than that. If we create more real destination points for gaming that will create more jobs and generate more revenues.”
Under the Senate’s bill, engineered by Sen. Tommy Tomlinson, R-Bensalem, between 3,000 and 5,000 slot machines would be allowed at up to eight horse racetracks, including Philadelphia Park in Bensalem and The Meadows near Pittsburgh. Each racetrack will have to pay a one-time $50 million fee for a slots license.
The gambling expansion will generate $1.5 billion annually, government officials estimate. Of that, 46 percent will go to racetrack owners, 34 percent will go to the state government, 18 percent will go towards racing purses and up to two percent will go towards municipalities that either have racetracks or are located near one and therefore must make infrastructural improvements to accommodate them.
The state would use its take to rebate property tax bills for homeowners statewide. Meanwhile, the state’s struggling four horse racetracks would make hundreds of millions, possibly billions, of dollars, thus enabling them to compete with racetracks in many neighboring states that already have slots, racetrack owners say. This will improve purses for horse racers, keep 35,000 existing jobs at racetracks and create thousands of new ones.
But gambling opponents predict the benefits will outweigh the costs. Legalizing slot machines would bring about many new social ills, including more crime and gambling addicts, which ultimately could cost the state more than it makes from slot machines, they warn.
“This is an issue that when you talk about what you can do to help communities and families is in direct opposition to all of that,” said Clymer, R-Sellersville. “You’re going to harm families and create a powerful interest group here. You’re going to have a touch of Las Vegas and Atlantic City coming into Bucks County.”
With Rendell eager to sign legislation legalizing slots, Clymer knows that the House is the last line of defense. He and other slots foes have armed themselves with more than three dozen amendments they plan to attach to the bill to restrict and hinder gambling expansion.
“This is it,” Clymer said. “We’re down to the last quarter, the last 100 yards. And we are prepared.”