Gaming News from Pennsylvania

This past week, Sands Casino in Bethlehem made a proposal to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to authorize electronic gaming with live dealers. This is being done in Macau with great success. It allows the gaming operator to accommodate additional play while maintaining the human element of the game. Players can wager on up to four games at one time. The electronic game will never be slowed by buys, cheque changes  and color ups. That a win -win for the operators and the players.                                                 

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Sands President Mark Juliano and Table Games  Director Jack Kennedy are showing logic with this proposal.  They are creating jobs and additional revenue for the state. The tax rate will be at the table game level which is significantly lower than slots. Sands is also using an area of the casino floor that is underperforming presently and maintaining the current mix of slots and table games. I 'll give further updates as to the status of this proposal. 

 

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is also making my highlight reel with the discussion before the Gaming Oversight Committee regarding skill games. Testimony was provided by Executive Director Kevin O' Toole, Chief Counsel Doug Sherman and Chief Technology Officer Michael Cruz.

Kevin O'Toole

This is important to the operators as they look for new ways to grow the market. Borgata Casino in Atlantic City is looking at a three on three tournament as a skill based event. This is a first for a casino. Pennsylvania is looking at how skill based events could be incorporated into their regulations. Currently, with slot machines, a skill base component may be present in the bonus round of a game. This does not change the rate of the tax. That tax rate is currently 55%. I would anticipate something significantly lower if a three on three tournament was held in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh.

 

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