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 With the threat of job cuts across the state looming over the governor's head, legislature was forced to act quickly to resolve the matter of officially legalizing table games, including poker, to their state. The law was approved by the House on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 sometime after 5:00pm and was signed by Governor Ed Rendell the following day.
In October of last year, the chambers approved a state budget that would utilize the funds created by the table games. The only problem was that the games were not exactly legal. After several months of negotiations and talk when it comes to the amount of table games a casino is allowed, whether casino players would be allowed casino credit, and how much the games would be taxed, they finally came to an agreement.
In major casinos which stand alone, 250 table games will be permitted and in smaller resort casinos, there will be 50 table games allowed. Also highly debated is the fact that consumers will be able to use casino credit. Also, the games will be taxed 14 percent in the first year and 12 percent the following year which will greatly help the state.
When the reality of the states burdened financial situation, many State Republicans who originally opposed the addition of table games to their state, changed their minds because of the significant positive economic impact the revenues would have for the state.
According to the Morning Call newspaper, Republican senate majority leader, Dominic Pileggi, said, "If we were in a surplus situation, this discussion would not be happening. We have an historic crisis in our economy...we need to look to find revenue."
Over the first two years of the implication of the new legislation, tax revenues are expected to increase by nearly $640 million thanks to the new table games.
Under the new law, poker, blackjack, craps and more are now legal in Pennsylvania's casinos. Most casino operators will begin applying for the licenses right away, but the games will probably not be available for another several months.
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