Pennsylvania legislators evaluating the gaming bill one more time

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives again received their already approved casino tax bill as the Senate considered that it further needs reviews. Now state lawmakers have some more time to decide what they need to review and amend to make the casino tax bill much better. Their entire aim is to ensure that the entire gambling activity is made structured in the state as well as they need to review the gaming fees. Legislators will now again sit down and evaluate the gaming fee regulations for the Erie County market which is the host community of Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Summit Township. This review is important as the new amendment needs to ensure to allow iGaming expansion in the state as reported to Go Erie newspaper.

State Sen. Dan Laughlin, of Millcreek Township, R-49th Dist, commented “This is an issue that has wide-ranging impacts not only for Erie, but for communities across Pennsylvania that receive LSAs,” “It was incumbent upon the General Assembly and the Wolf administration to finalise legislation that will ensure the flow of funding from the casinos to counties and local entities continues unabated.”

Laughlin further added that “Presque Isle Downs is a good neighbour and has indicated that it will continue its support for the community, but not every community is that fortunate,” “If we did not meet the court-imposed deadline and casinos were to withhold local share funding, the burden of additional financial costs would fall directly on taxpayers in many communities. That’s what made finding a legally sound solution to this issue a matter of utmost importance.”

Yesterday The Senate voted 38-12 to return the casino tax bill for review in the house. As per the new proposal in the casino tax bill there needs to be a similar fee structure to regulate the casino operations of Presque Isle Downs & Casino so as to maintain the annual revenues Erie County receives as a host community. As per the new regulation the local casino will now have to contribute US$10 million annually to the country administration.