AP: PA Table Games Bill in Review
(Associated Press) - Elements of the table games bill that passed the Pennsylvania Senate on Tuesday and awaits House action:
_Games such as blackjack and poker would be allowed at slots casinos.
_Licenses would cost larger casinos $16.5 million, and resort casinos $7.5 million. Those fees would increase after June 1.
_A third resort casino license could be added in 2017.
_Gross revenue tax rate would start at 16 percent, dropping to 14 percent in the second year. Two percent would go to local government, the rest to the state.
_Gambling Control Board and casino employees would be subject to additional ethics rules.
_Larger casinos would be allowed 250 tables, resorts 50. Resort casinos may also add 100 slot machines to the 500 they are allowed now.
_$3 million would go to treat compulsive gambling and substance abuse.
_Casinos would be allowed to conduct poker tournaments
_All fees and taxes would go into the state's general fund until the Rainy Day contingency fund reaches $750 million. After that, the money would go into the Property Tax Relief Fund.
