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• Introduced by Sen. Robert M. Tomlinson (R) on July 17, 2009, to legalize poker, blackjack, roulette and other table games at Pennsylvania’s slot machine casinos. The bill allows slots casinos to operate up to 250 table games at horse-tracks and free-standing casinos, and up to 25 table games at resort casinos. Table games at freestanding casinos and the racetracks would be taxed at a rate of 14 percent, with 12 percent going to the state and 2 percent to local communities. The local share would be 1 percent each for the host community and county. Casino operators would be required to pay an up-front licensing fee of $15 million. Resort casino operators would be required to pay a $7.5 million licensing fee, and the table games would be taxed at a rate of 12 percent – with 10 percent to the state and 2 percent split locally. The state’s share of the money would go into the general fund .
  • Referred to the Senate Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee on July 17, 2009.
    • Reported in the Senate on October 8, 2009.
• Passed in the Senate (29 to 20) on October 9, 2009, to legalize poker, blackjack, roulette and other table games at Pennsylvania’s slot machine casinos. The bill allows slots casinos to operate up to 250 table games at horse-tracks and free-standing casinos, and up to 25 table games at resort casinos. Table games at freestanding casinos and the racetracks would be taxed at a rate of 14 percent, with 12 percent going to the state and 2 percent to local communities. The local share would be 1 percent each for the host community and county. Casino operators would be required to pay an up-front licensing fee of $15 million. Resort casino operators would be required to pay a $7.5 million licensing fee, and the table games would be taxed at a rate of 12 percent – with 10 percent to the state and 2 percent split locally. The state’s share of the money would go into the general fund . [Vote Details and Comments]