Signed by Governor Ed Rendell

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report for a bill that legalizes table games at casinos, modifies gaming regulations, and levies taxes and fees related to gambling.

Highlights:

-Defines a table game as "any banking or non-banking game approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board" including, but not limited to, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, poker and craps (Sec. 2). -Permits Category 1 and 2 slot machine licensees to operate up to 250 gaming tables, permits Category 3 slot machine licensees to operate no more than 50 gaming tables, with no more than 30 percent of tables from all categories operating nonbanking games at a time, and allows the Gaming Control Board to increase the gaming table limit for Category 1 and 2 licensees beginning 6 months after the start of table game operations (Sec. 11.1). -Requires Category 1 and 2 slot machine licensees that petition to operate gaming tables before June 1, 2010 to pay a one-time nonrefundable authorization fee of $16.5 million and $24.75 million thereafter, and requires Category 3 slot machine licensees that petition to operate gaming tables before June 1, 2010 to pay a one-time nonrefundable authorization fee of $7.5 million and $11.25 million thereafter (Sec. 11.1). -Specifies that, notwithstanding the previous highlight, the holder of a Category 1 or 3 slot machine license issued after June 1, 2010 submitting a petition for a table game operation certificate shall pay a one-time nonrefundable authorization fee of $16.5 million (for a Category 1 licensee) or $7.5 million (for a Category 3 licensee) (Sec. 11.1). -Specifies that all fees and fines shall be deposited into the General Fund (Sec. 11.1). -Levies a tax of 14 percent on daily gross table game revenue for the first two years and then 12 percent thereafter, and levies an additional 34 percent tax on daily gross revenue from electronic gaming tables, to be paid to the Department of Revenue on a weekly basis (Sec. 11.1). -Specifies that if the balance of the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund exceeds $750 million on the last day of a fiscal year, then table game tax revenues shall cease to be deposited in the General Fund and shall instead be deposited into the Property Tax Relief Fund (Sec. 11.1) -Permits casinos to extend credit to patrons for the purpose of playing slot machines and table games, and prohibits credit card advance machines and the use of credit or debit cards in exchange for chips, slot machine and table game credits or cash (Sec. 11.1). -Extends a prohibition on former members of the Gaming Control Board from working in the gaming industry from one year to two years after they serve on the Board (Sec. 3). -Authorizes the Gaming Control Board to collect the following supplier license fees (Sec. 8.2):

-$25,000 for a license to supply table game devices or associated equipment used in connection with table games or table game devices; -$15,000 for the annual renewal of the appropriate supplier license; and -$45,000 upon extension of the renewal period.

-Authorizes the Gaming Control Board to collect the following manufacturer license fees (Sec. 8.2):

-$50,000 for a license to manufacture table game devices or associated equipment used in connection with table games or table game devices; -$30,000 for the annual renewal of the appropriate manufacturer license; and -$90,000 upon extension of the renewal period.

-Specifies that the Gaming Control Board may modify fees if it deems that they will "unreasonably limit" the availability of table game devices or associated equipment (Sec. 8.2). -Requires $3 million to be annually transferred to the Department of Health for alcohol and drug treatment programs, and increases the amount annually deposited into the Compulsive and Problem Gambling Treatment Fund from $1.5 million to $2 million (Sec. 13). -Reduces the amount annually appropriated to fund local law enforcement grants designed to investigate violations of and enforce laws relating to unlawful gambling from $5 million to $2 million (Sec. 13). -Changes the age a person can enter and remain in a casino from 18 years to 21 years of age, unless the person is an employee of the casino, an employee of a gaming service provider, or a member of the Gaming Control Board or other regulatory agency, and specifies that no one under 21 years of age may gamble (Sec. 16.1). -Prohibits slot machines and table games that are equipped to accept debit and credit cards (Sec. 18.1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report for a bill that legalizes table games at casinos, modifies gaming regulations, and levies taxes and fees related to gambling.

Highlights:

-Defines a table game as "any banking or non-banking game approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board" including, but not limited to, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, poker and craps (Sec. 2). -Permits Category 1 and 2 slot machine licensees to operate up to 250 gaming tables, permits Category 3 slot machine licensees to operate no more than 50 gaming tables, with no more than 30 percent of tables from all categories operating nonbanking games at a time, and allows the Gaming Control Board to increase the gaming table limit for Category 1 and 2 licensees beginning 6 months after the start of table game operations (Sec. 11.1). -Requires Category 1 and 2 slot machine licensees that petition to operate gaming tables before June 1, 2010 to pay a one-time nonrefundable authorization fee of $16.5 million and $24.75 million thereafter, and requires Category 3 slot machine licensees that petition to operate gaming tables before June 1, 2010 to pay a one-time nonrefundable authorization fee of $7.5 million and $11.25 million thereafter (Sec. 11.1). -Specifies that, notwithstanding the previous highlight, the holder of a Category 1 or 3 slot machine license issued after June 1, 2010 submitting a petition for a table game operation certificate shall pay a one-time nonrefundable authorization fee of $16.5 million (for a Category 1 licensee) or $7.5 million (for a Category 3 licensee) (Sec. 11.1). -Specifies that all fees and fines shall be deposited into the General Fund (Sec. 11.1). -Levies a tax of 14 percent on daily gross table game revenue for the first two years and then 12 percent thereafter, and levies an additional 34 percent tax on daily gross revenue from electronic gaming tables, to be paid to the Department of Revenue on a weekly basis (Sec. 11.1). -Specifies that if the balance of the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund exceeds $750 million on the last day of a fiscal year, then table game tax revenues shall cease to be deposited in the General Fund and shall instead be deposited into the Property Tax Relief Fund (Sec. 11.1) -Permits casinos to extend credit to patrons for the purpose of playing slot machines and table games, and prohibits credit card advance machines and the use of credit or debit cards in exchange for chips, slot machine and table game credits or cash (Sec. 11.1). -Extends a prohibition on former members of the Gaming Control Board from working in the gaming industry from one year to two years after they serve on the Board (Sec. 3). -Authorizes the Gaming Control Board to collect the following supplier license fees (Sec. 8.2):

-$25,000 for a license to supply table game devices or associated equipment used in connection with table games or table game devices; -$15,000 for the annual renewal of the appropriate supplier license; and -$45,000 upon extension of the renewal period.

-Authorizes the Gaming Control Board to collect the following manufacturer license fees (Sec. 8.2):

-$50,000 for a license to manufacture table game devices or associated equipment used in connection with table games or table game devices; -$30,000 for the annual renewal of the appropriate manufacturer license; and -$90,000 upon extension of the renewal period.

-Specifies that the Gaming Control Board may modify fees if it deems that they will "unreasonably limit" the availability of table game devices or associated equipment (Sec. 8.2). -Requires $3 million to be annually transferred to the Department of Health for alcohol and drug treatment programs, and increases the amount annually deposited into the Compulsive and Problem Gambling Treatment Fund from $1.5 million to $2 million (Sec. 13). -Reduces the amount annually appropriated to fund local law enforcement grants designed to investigate violations of and enforce laws relating to unlawful gambling from $5 million to $2 million (Sec. 13). -Changes the age a person can enter and remain in a casino from 18 years to 21 years of age, unless the person is an employee of the casino, an employee of a gaming service provider, or a member of the Gaming Control Board or other regulatory agency, and specifies that no one under 21 years of age may gamble (Sec. 16.1). -Prohibits slot machines and table games that are equipped to accept debit and credit cards (Sec. 18.1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and adopt additional amendments to a bill that legalizes table games at casinos, modifies gaming regulations, and levies taxes and fees related to gambling.

Highlights:

-Defines a table game as "any banking or non-banking game approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board" including, but not limited to, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, poker and craps (Sec. 2). -Permits Category 1 and 2 slot machine licensees to operate up to 250 gaming tables, permits Category 3 slot machine licensees to operate no more than 50 gaming tables, with no more than 30 percent of tables from all categories operating nonbanking games at a time, and allows the Gaming Control Board to increase the gaming table limit for Category 1 and 2 licensees beginning 6 months after the start of table game operations (Sec. 11.1). -Requires Category 1 and 2 slot machine licensees that petition to operate gaming tables before June 1, 2010 to pay a one-time nonrefundable authorization fee of $16.5 million and $24.75 million thereafter, and requires Category 3 slot machine licensees that petition to operate gaming tables before June 1, 2010 to pay a one-time nonrefundable authorization fee of $7.5 million and $11.25 million thereafter (Sec. 11.1). -Specifies that, notwithstanding the previous highlight, the holder of a Category 1 or 3 slot machine license issued after June 1, 2010 submitting a petition for a table game operation certificate shall pay a one-time nonrefundable authorization fee of $16.5 million (for a Category 1 licensee) or $7.5 million (for a Category 3 licensee) (Sec. 11.1). -Specifies that all fees and fines shall be deposited into the General Fund (Sec. 11.1). -Levies a tax of 14 percent on daily gross table game revenue for the first two years and then 12 percent thereafter, and levies an additional 34 percent tax on daily gross revenue from electronic gaming tables, to be paid to the Department of Revenue on a weekly basis (Sec. 11.1). -Specifies that if the balance of the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund exceeds $750 million on the last day of a fiscal year, then table game tax revenues shall cease to be deposited in the General Fund and shall instead be deposited into the Property Tax Relief Fund (Sec. 11.1) -Permits casinos to extend credit to patrons for the purpose of playing slot machines and table games, and prohibits credit card advance machines and the use of credit or debit cards in exchange for chips, slot machine and table game credits or cash (Sec. 11.1). -Extends a prohibition on former members of the Gaming Control Board from working in the gaming industry from one year to two years after they serve on the Board (Sec. 3). -Authorizes the Gaming Control Board to collect the following supplier license fees (Sec. 8.2):

-$25,000 for a license to supply table game devices or associated equipment used in connection with table games or table game devices; -$15,000 for the annual renewal of the appropriate supplier license; and -$45,000 upon extension of the renewal period.

-Authorizes the Gaming Control Board to collect the following manufacturer license fees (Sec. 8.2):

-$50,000 for a license to manufacture table game devices or associated equipment used in connection with table games or table game devices; -$30,000 for the annual renewal of the appropriate manufacturer license; and -$90,000 upon extension of the renewal period.

-Specifies that the Gaming Control Board may modify fees if it deems that they will "unreasonably limit" the availability of table game devices or associated equipment (Sec. 8.2). -Requires $3 million to be annually transferred to the Department of Health for alcohol and drug treatment programs, and increases the amount annually deposited into the Compulsive and Problem Gambling Treatment Fund from $1.5 million to $2 million (Sec. 13). -Reduces the amount annually appropriated to fund local law enforcement grants designed to investigate violations of and enforce laws relating to unlawful gambling from $5 million to $2 million (Sec. 13). -Changes the age a person can enter and remain in a casino from 18 years to 21 years of age, unless the person is an employee of the casino, an employee of a gaming service provider, or a member of the Gaming Control Board or other regulatory agency, and specifies that no one under 21 years of age may gamble (Sec. 16.1). -Prohibits slot machines and table games that are equipped to accept debit and credit cards (Sec. 18.1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that legalizes table games at casinos, modifies gaming regulations, and levies taxes and fees related to gambling.

Highlights:

-Defines a table game as "any banking or non-banking game approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board" including, but not limited to, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, poker and craps (Sec. 2). -Permits Category 1 and 2 slot machine licensees to operate up to 250 gaming tables, permits Category 3 slot machine licensees to operate no more than 50 gaming tables, with no more than 30 percent of tables from all categories operating nonbanking games at a time, and allows the Gaming Control Board to increase the gaming table limit for certificate holders for the purpose of holding contests or tournaments (Sec. 11.1). -Requires Category 1 and 2 slot machine licensees that petition to operate gaming tables before June 1, 2010 to pay a one-time nonrefundable authorization fee of $16.5 million and $24.75 million thereafter, and requires Category 3 slot machine licensees that petition to operate gaming tables before June 1, 2010 to pay a one-time nonrefundable authorization fee of $7.5 million and $11.25 million thereafter (Sec. 11.1). -Specifies that, notwithstanding the previous highlight, the holder of a Category 1 or 3 slot machine license issued after June 1, 2010 submitting a petition for a table game operation certificate shall pay a one-time nonrefundable authorization fee of $16.5 million (for a Category 1 licensee) or $7.5 million (for a Category 3 licensee) (Sec. 11.1). -Specifies that all fees and fines shall be deposited into the General Fund (Sec. 11.1). -Levies a tax of 14 percent on daily gross table game revenue until July 1, 2011 and then 12 percent thereafter, and levies an additional 34 percent tax on daily gross revenue from electronic gaming tables, to be paid to the Department of Revenue on a weekly basis (Sec. 11.1). -Specifies that if the balance of the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund exceeds $750 million on the last day of a fiscal year, then table game tax revenues shall cease to be deposited in the General Fund and shall instead be deposited into the Property Tax Relief Fund (Sec. 11.1) -Permits casinos to extend credit to patrons for the purpose of playing slot machines and table games, and prohibits credit card advance machines and the use of credit or debit cards in exchange for chips, slot machine and table game credits or cash (Sec. 11.1). -Extends a prohibition on former members of the Gaming Control Board from working in the gaming industry from one year to two years after they serve on the Board (Sec. 3). -Authorizes the Gaming Control Board to collect the following supplier license fees (Sec. 8.2):

-$25,000 for a license to supply table game devices or associated equipment used in connection with table games or table game devices; -$15,000 for the annual renewal of the appropriate supplier license; and -$45,000 upon extension of the renewal period.

-Authorizes the Gaming Control Board to collect the following manufacturer license fees (Sec. 8.2):

-$50,000 for a license to manufacture table game devices or associated equipment used in connection with table games or table game devices; -$30,000 for the annual renewal of the appropriate manufacturer license; and -$90,000 upon extension of the renewal period.

-Requires $3 million to be annually transferred to the Department of Health for alcohol and drug treatment programs, and increases the amount annually deposited into the Compulsive and Problem Gambling Treatment Fund from $1.5 million to $2 million (Sec. 13). -Reduces the amount annually appropriated to fund local law enforcement grants designed to investigate violations of and enforce laws relating to unlawful gambling from $5 million to $2 million (Sec. 13). -Changes the age a person can enter and remain in a casino from 18 years to 21 years of age, unless the person is an employee of the casino, an employee of a gaming service provider, or a member of the Gaming Control Board or other regulatory agency, and specifies that no one under 21 years of age may gamble (Sec. 16.1). -Prohibits slot machines and table games that are equipped to accept debit and credit cards (Sec. 18.1).

Full Bill Text