Stakes have grown for slot-machine legislation
HARRISBURG – For months, the legalization of slot machines in Pennsylvania seemed like a sure bet. But in recent weeks, the stakes have grown significantly. Perhaps too high for some. Now, slots could be scratched all together. “We’re hoping to get something passed … but anything’s possible,” conceded Stephen Miskin, spokesman for House Majority Leader John Perzel, R-Philadelphia.
Initially, the idea was simple: put a few hundred slot machines at the state’s four racetracks to bring in new revenues for state government and help save Pennsylvania’s struggling horse racing industry, which is losing business to racetracks in neighboring states that offer slots.
But in recent months, the issue has mushroomed. Some lawmakers want more slot machines – up to 5,000 – at more tracks – up to eight. Some want full-fledged casinos, complete with card games. Others are proposing riverboat casinos or video poker at bars.
Indian tribes from Oklahoma have also come onto the scene, saying they own land in southeastern Pennsylvania and plan to build casinos on it.
The bigger the plans have gotten, the more support has shrunk.
“Polling clearly indicates that a majority of Pennsylvanians support the limited gaming that is slot machines at racetracks,” said Jim Cawley, spokesman for Sen. Tommy Tomlinson, a Bucks County Republican who’s leading the push for legalizing slots at racetracks. “When you go beyond that to other forms of gaming – casinos, riverboats, even video poker at bars – the support among the public drops off dramatically.
“Our own personal read of the Senate is, when you begin to talk of other forms of gaming, the comfort level of many of senators who might support slots at racetracks, that support begins to diminish.”
The Senate was poised to vote early last month on Tomlinson’s bill. But leaders indefinitely postponed a vote when they realized they lacked enough support for the legislation. Some Democrats want to auction off slot licenses, rather than just giving them away to racetrack owners. But Tomlinson insists the tracks should get the licenses, otherwise the horse racing industry could suffer a financial collapse and thousands of jobs could be lost.
With the gambling issue at a stalemate in the Senate, House leaders plan to pick up the ball. Perzel is currently drafting legislation to expand gambling, his spokesman said. The bill, which Perzel plans to introduce in mid-June, could include any and every kind of gambling imaginable from slot machines at racetracks to riverboat casinos.
Meanwhile, Gov. Ed Rendell, is just waiting for the Legislature to pass legislation so he can sign it. He said that he “absolutely” expects slots to be legalized this month.
“I have no doubt that a majority of senators and representatives are in favor of adding slot machines at racetracks,” Rendell said Tuesday. “The devil is in the details … it’s a work in progress … the Senate will pass one bill and the House will pass another. Then we’ll all have to get together and work out a compromise.”
Rendell added that he thinks he’ll be able to persuade Senate Democrats to abandon their idea to auction off licenses.
But time is running out. The Legislature is scheduled to recess for the summer on June 30.
With so many disparate views and so little time to resolve them, some lawmakers say they could adjourn for the summer without having legalized any new forms of gambling.
But most say that’s a highly unlikely scenario. In the end, money will talk.
“If you take a look at the governor’s proposed budget for the 2003-04 fiscal year, he’s called for $300 million of state revenue to come from slot revenues,” Cawley said. “If the slots aren’t there, then it’s incumbent on the Legislature to either come up with an alternative way to find $300 million or to figure out a way to cut $300 million. I think the way that makes the greatest sense is to figure out a way to compromise and come to an agreement on putting slots at racetracks to realize those revenues.”