PA’s bill would allow gambling expansion in Erie
If the state governor signs the gambling bill that was passed by the Senate and the House last week, gambling would be expanded in Erie county.
US.- Pennsylvania’s market has been under the spotlight after the Senate voted in favor of a bill to expand gambling in the state and then the House confirmed the move by voting 109-72. As the bill is currently on Governor Tom Wolf’s desk waiting to be signed, Erie is expectant over a final resolution that would directly affect the county.
Erie County officials were previously worried that whilst the expansion would be good for the state, the legalisation of gaming terminals could pull revenue from land based casinos, which direct money to hosting communities every year. Nevertheless, the new bill establishes that no competing casino could build a satellite casino within 25 miles of other existing facility, therefore Presque Isle Downs & Casino’s activity in Erie would be untouched. The provision, however, allows the facility to expand in Erie.
This new bill also keeps the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority, which was erased in the previous legislations. Moreover, the casino revenue that goes directly to Erie County would keep the same rate of US$11 million.
HB-271 was passed by the Senate last Wednesday night after discussions that included several delays. The House received the bill on Thursday morning and approved it a few hours later, with an imposed tax of 54 percent on online slots revenue, and 16 percent on online poker and casino table games. The bill could generate up to US$239 million in revenue this fiscal year and help close a budget gap that has been taunting Pennsylvania for quite some time now. The plan is to expand casino-style gambling to online sites, airports, truck stops and 10 new casino sites. The bill requires casinos to pay a US$10 million payment every year to their host towns in order to reinstall and revindicate the measure that was struck down by the local Supreme Court more than a year ago.
