On the day that the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced that its Director of Gaming Laboratory Operations, Michael Cruz, will address attendees of the 6th Annual Gaming Technology Summit at a roundtable session on server-based games, Cannery Casino Resorts was addressing the House Gaming Oversight Committee with testimony in favour of allowing table games at Pennsylvania’s new slots venues.

Server-based games for slots have been around as the ‘product of the future’ for two years or more but are still not widely available on the gaming floor. The Gaming Technology Summit at Green Valley Ranch, Las Vegas next week on 20-22 May will offer likely roll-out schedules as well as an insight into the current state of the technology from the perspective of regulators, operators and vendors.

Cannery owns The Meadows Racetrack & Casino, which commenced slot machine operations in June 2007. The company is asking for Pennsylvania to add table games to state gambling laws in order to better compete with neighbouring state West Virginia, which has recently sanctioned table games at its pari-mutuel venues in order to better compete with Pennsylvania’s slot machines. Yesterday Cannery reminded the committee that in 1995 when slots were introduced in West Virginia there was a 64% drop in attendance at The Meadows, which resulted in the loss of 58% of the workforce, nearly 600 jobs.

Bill Paulos, Principal of Cannery Casino Resorts, pointed out that table games in West Virginia will be a strong attraction for Pennsylvanian gamblers, saying that there had been a loss of some slots players already. He explained that since many of the permanent casinos in Pennsylvania have yet to be built, it was exactly the right time to consider the addition of table games so that adequate planning can take place. Calling for an enlightened legislative approach, Bill Paulos said that table games revenues should not be taxed as highly as slots revenues as they are much more costly to run.

By placing 40 table games at The Meadows, Cannery anticipates it would create 700 jobs for Pennsylvanian residents, doubling the present casino payroll, and provide US$37 million extra tax each year. It would also bring over US$30 million in new investment. Bill Paulos concluded his testimony to the Oversight Committee by saying:

“I would be remiss if I did not express the importance that for this legislation to be written properly, it must be done in close cooperation with the gaming operators of the Commonwealth. Together, we must work hard to ensure that we can jointly create excellent legislation that works for everyone involved.” (E-05.16.08)

© Copyright 2008 CasinoCompendium



>>> return to archives
>>> return to frontpage