With the state tax revenue shortfall likely to reach US$2 billion in the new budget, some of Pennsylvania’s lawmakers are looking at expanding gambling to fill the gap. Ever since slots casinos were allowed in 2004 there has been pressure to go a stage further and grant licences for certain table games. With the recession biting, the present seems a good time to reintroduce the topic in the legislature.

Supporters of table games are now preparing to introduce a bill that would legalise blackjack, poker, roulette and craps at the slots casinos that have been operating for over one year – seven at the moment. Seven other projects have yet to open, including the two in Philadelphia where local residents and the council are proving an obstacle to the developments progressing.

Other lawmakers in Pennsylvania are not so keen to see more gambling in the state. Governor Ed Rendell has said that before gaming expansion is considered all fourteen licensed slot machine operations should be up and running. According to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board slots gaming contributed over US$590 million of new tax revenue in the first year and an additional US$550 million in licensing fees. (E-01.22.09)

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