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Tomlinson Gaming Plan Goes to Governor
HARRISBURG -- The
Legislature has given final approval to a bill that will allow for the placement
of slot machines at each of Pennsylvania’s horse racetracks as well as other
locations and pave the way for property tax relief for state residents,
according to Sen. Tommy Tomlinson (R-6), the sponsor of the slots amendment.
The measure now goes to the Governor for his signature.
“Pennsylvanians spend more than $4.7 billion
annually on gambling and gambling-related activities in other states,” Sen.
Tomlinson said. “This bill will allow our state to take advantage of that
revenue and put it to use for property tax relief, economic development and
other priorities. I’m pleased that this bill will become law, and that all
state residents will benefit from this additional revenue source.”
Sen. Tomlinson’s
amendment to House Bill 2330 authorizes up to 14 slot licenses, including eight
at the Commonwealth’s horse racing tracks. The slot venues are expected to
generate $1 billion in state tax revenue annually. License fees for slot
operators will provide an additional one-time revenue boost of more than $600
million.
Sen. Tomlinson said that the expected $1
billion in annual revenue would be used primarily to fund property tax cuts for
Pennsylvania’s homeowners. Slots revenue would also provide $25 million
annually for the Volunteer Fire Grant Program and initially approximately $1.5
million to fund a program to
deal with compulsive gambling.
“The placement of slot
machines at racetracks potentially creates approximately 18,000 new jobs and
protect the 35,000 existing jobs in the horse racing industry,” Sen. Tomlinson
said. “This proposal supports Pennsylvania’s top two industries -- agriculture
and tourism -- by allowing our horse racing industry to grow and attract the
business we’ve been losing to our neighbors in recent years.”
Under Sen. Tomlinson’s plan, a newly created Gaming
Control Board would regulate all aspects of slot machine gaming at racetracks
and other sites, including subpoena powers, the ability to suspend licenses, and
the authority to hire enforcement officers. All potential slot operators must
submit to strict background and financial fitness checks before they are awarded
a license. Background checks would also be required for all gaming employees.
“This legislation provides for some of the most
stringent investigation and enforcement provisions in the nation,” said Sen.
Tomlinson.
State Police Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller also
noted today in communications to the General Assembly the successful history of
the State Police in deterring organized crime, saying he is “satisfied that the
legislation provides adequate law enforcement oversight.”
“Members of the Senate, the House and the
Administration have worked long and hard to craft legislation that is fair to
all parties and addresses the most important concerns that have been raised,”
said Sen. Tomlinson, whose district includes the Philadelphia Park race track in
Bensalem.
Bensalem would receive 2 percent of the gross
terminal revenue, with a minimum of $10 million. In addition, Bucks County will
receive 1 percent of the gross terminal revenue, and an additional 1 percent
will be available to the county for grants to municipalities. These grants will
be administered through the redevelopment authority.
Pennsylvania’s horse racing industry produces $865
million in annual economic activity and operates capital facilities worth and
estimated $1.2 billion. The industry also helps to preserve more than 500,000
acres of open space. Sen. Tomlinson said that his plan would provide
approximately $1.3 billion in new personal income and an additional $2.5 billion
in economic output.
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