Plan could include slots for mountain resort
HARRISBURG – Slot machines could be coming to Fayette County. With the General Assembly earnestly considering legalizing slot machines in Pennsylvania, one possible gaming site could be Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa in Farmington.
“That would definitely be a possibility,” said Stephen Miskin, spokesman for House Speaker John Perzel (R-Philadelphia).
Originally, legislative leaders were considering putting slots only at horse racetracks, but with that idea at a stalemate in the Senate, House leaders have started working on their own legislation.
Perzel may propose putting slots at other locations besides racetracks. The concept faces long odds of passing, though.
“Is Perzel saying we should definitely put slots in Nemacolin Woodlands? No,” Miskin said. “But we’re looking at other venues. He doesn’t think this should be limited to racetracks.”
In addition to the six licensed racetracks in the state, two of which are still being constructed, Miskin said a dozen other places might be eligible for slots under Perzel’s legislation.
Some possibilities include the convention centers in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
“We’re not going to say in the legislation, ‘Nemacolin Woodlands,'” Miskin explained. “We’re going to set criteria and then people could apply.”
If chosen, the world-class resort could install 3,000 to 5,000 slot machines, Miskin said.
The General Assembly hopes to legalize slots before it recesses for the summer, so that the state can use revenue from the venture partially to fund the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1.
The Senate was poised to vote early last month on a bill to allow slots at horse racetracks, 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 give them away to racetrack owners.
Officials at Nemacolin did not immediately return a phone call Wednesday seeking comment. Miskin wouldn’t say if Nemacolin owner Joe Hardy had requested slots.
“It’s basically the media talking about slots at Nemacolin, not us,” he said. “It’s a nice establishment. If other venues [besides racetracks] are approved [to have slots] and they want to apply, great.”
Before Nemacolin could apply, a majority of lawmakers in the House and Senate would have to approve the proposal, and the governor would have to sign it. And, before the proposal is even formally introduced, Perzel plans to wait to see what happens with the legislation in the Senate.
“We’re going to wait to see what happens with the Senate,” said Miskin, adding that a Senate vote could occur Monday. “If they don’t [pass slots at racetracks], then we may have to do our own bill.”
But Senate officials don’t think slots at places like Nemacolin Woodlands will pass in their chamber.
“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 is 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 … support begins to diminish.”