PA Changing Slot Machines Law

The Senate has approved the slot machine amendments many have been waiting for – for over two years now. Act 71 of 2004 legalized slot machines and 14 slots casinos across the state of Pennsylvania. The Senate was locked behind closed doors for several hours yesterday, and when they emerged they had unanimously approved the amendments.

One of the most important amendments reinstated local zoning control over the slot machine casinos for Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, which is a nice piece of autonomy for the areas. Previously the Gaming control Board had the right to decide such zoning, and now the officials are happy that it has been put back in their hands.

The Senate also approved Allegheny County’s request to regulate smoking at the stand alone casino that will be located in Pittsburgh. Previously the state had the right to decide if smoking would be allowed in the slot machine casino, or if there would be limitations.

However, one of the most important parts of the new amendments was the making of slot machine middlemen optional instead of mandatory. The law had angered many who thought that it was just a way for the state to get their hands on more money. The state had originally added it as a way to create more jobs out of the slot machine industry, as well as a way to try and combat corruption in the industry.



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