Casino table games in budget debate?

''If the Legislature sent [a table games bill] to me, and it was the will of the Legislature, I would consider it.'' --Gov. Ed Rendell -- Gov.

[Matt]

Legalize table games! I'm sick of the computer-generated dealers!

[mc_KiND_ATown]

bring on the tables!

[mamabear]

does anyone know if you have to go through the casino to get to Emeril's rest. or does it have its own entrance?

[Power]

YES!!!!!!!!!!

[Logic]

Hmmm! Creates 16k+ jobs. What's the unemployment rate in PA? Brings in $200 million towards the deficit that PA would have to find somewhere else like sales tax, cigarette tax, alcohol tax, gas tax, etc. Affects only those who are players and not taxing the entire PA population. Brings in out-of-staters to spend their money in PA. Yeah, silly idea.

[Emmaus]

mamabear wrote:

does anyone know if you have to go through the casino to get to Emeril's rest. or does it have its own entrance?

Yes, you have to go through about 20 feet of the restaurant...

[Logic]

I agree with Logic. If it does not cost the taxpayers anything to approve the table games, why not approve it?$200 million dollars in revenue for just saying yes? Well I say yes.

[quimby]

mamabear wrote:

does anyone know if you have to go through the casino to get to Emeril's rest. or does it have its own entrance?

I think, think, it has it's own front entrance but there is no where to park in front unless you did valet. Either way, it's internal casino entrance is very close to the casino front doors and a very short walk from the parking deck elevators.
The casino is not as horrible as haters would have you think. It is mostly old people by day and a mish mash of folks at night. I don't gamble but have gone twice, both times for beers at the Irish Place St James Gate.

[quimby]

Now that the casino is here there is no reason not to bring on table games. I think the real important thing is getting the hotel completed, getting conventions in and finishing the rest of the whole BethWorks development asap.

[Dennis Mac]

mamabear wrote:

does anyone know if you have to go through the casino to get to Emeril's rest. or does it have its own entrance?

If it's kids you're worried about, they will be allowed to walk around the Casino floor, to the restaurants.

[mamabear]

ty all for your answers, and yes Dennis a friend of mine wants to take her 13 yr old daughter there.

[Rough Rider]

Where is Bill Kearney?

[Bunny]

I think they should legalize tables in the casinos. I prefer playing tables over slot machines. Bring on the the tables!!!

[Watchdog]

I don't understand why the State is talking about only taxing table games at less than 15% when they are taxing slots at 55%?

Why not the same taxing rate on all casino revenues and let each casino decide if they still want table games.

Sands is dead during the week with not even one level of parking filled on Sunday and Monday night. The revenue generation from this casino will start to decline as soon as the novelty wears off in a week or two.

Building the hotel is a waste of money for the Sands as the number of people staying overnight for this casino is minimal. There has been virtually zero impact on hotel occupancy rates according to convention and visitors bureau people since the casino opened versus before opening. There is no way they would fill even 25% of that 300 room hotel as a slots parlor and most of those would be comped rooms.

[New Law]

This state is classic. NO, NO, NO, NO,...oh wait...we need revenue? YES, YES, YES, YES,....

[lawless cat]

dont fall for it.. all politicin.. remember this is election time.. this man will tell you anything... but he is fast eddy for a reason.. the man waits last minute to inflame things to an artificial emergency mode..that way he can sweep his agenda through...hmm... sounds like barry.. must be a Liberal.

[Big Cat]

Let it rip, get the dice and revenue rolling-- we all know the slots are rigged to only pay out a %--more fun and better chance to win also use your brain---- ye--- ha

[Mary]

I think tables should be legal in PA. What is the difference between video tables and actual gaming tables. I say PA it is time to bring tables in!

[Al from Allentown]

I think the tax rate on slots is 55% because slots were legalized under the lottery laws IIRC. Lottery is roughly 50% payout, thus slot machines are taxed at around the same percent. The 50%+ tax makes them legally "electronic lottery tickets". A lower tax would disqualify them from that status.

I really don't understand why they don't at the very least legalize Poker. Poker has been determined to be a "game of skill" since while there is some element of chance involved, it is not necessary to have the best hand in order to win. Additionally, the casino is a neutral party since their income from Poker is the rake and does not hinge on any one particular player winning against another.

[Easton Mike]

And so it begins.

It's not that I'm necessarily opposed to table games - I detest slots and I'm an avid poker player, so table games would make Sands (which I've yet to visit ) and all the other places more attractive (at least in my eyes). It's just that I hate the slick way that lawmakers try to push their agenda on the populace. Does it surprise anyone that the gov would now 'listen' to table game proposals ahead of his previously stated preference that all slots parlors be up and running first? Or that Sheldon has stopped construction on Sands and is now lobbying for table games?

It's one thing to offer a diversion from AC; it's another thing to try to REPLACE AC. Slots, table games, 900-room hotels (vs. the originally planned 300-room hotel); do PA residents REALLY think PA will become the new gambling destination of the eastern seaboard? With the moves being made in NY (they already have slots; Indian tribes will soon secure table games), Delaware, MD, WVA, tec.- in addition to whatever efforts AC makes in an effort to stave off its demise - I wonder if PA will enjoy as much of the out-of-state travelers' income as earlier advertised. I fear that as time progresses, more and more PAers will divert their incomes to gaming.