Slot Machines Make a Mess

As each of the racetracks gets ready to bring in slot machines, there are many changes that have to take place first. The issuing of slot machine licenses has effectively made Pennsylvania into a construction zone. Who knew slot machines could make such a mess?

At Penn National Race Course they have removed the grandstand to make room for the slot machines, and now patrons can only watch the horses through closed circuit TV in a nearby building.  So far only Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs actually has their slot machines up and running, as they opened a temporary facility. They are planning on adding another slot machine casino later on.

At Philadelphia Park construction workers ride the elevators along side the slot machine casinos patrons. Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack is in the process of hiring and training 575 employees before their slot machines start running in seven weeks. At the Meadows Casino and Racetrack in Pittsburgh, their slot machine casino literally only has one employee working there, Michael Graninger. "Our heads are spinning," said Graninger, their VP and GM. "We've got construction, we've got regulations, we've got contracts, we've got diversity, and so far I'm the only one here."

Pennsylvania will eventually have slot machine casinos as well as the tracks, but because of the way the slots law was written, they got a jump on the casinos. They were pretty much guaranteed the slot machine licenses, whereas the casinos had to work for them. Because of the way the slot machines were handled, there is a positive outlook for the racing industry now as they will be able to offer bigger purses. Some even think that the 9% slot machine revenue set aside for the purses will help the Pennsylvania Derby become a top competitor.

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