Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006

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Pennsylvania poker games a possibility

By Erin Warner

Poker in Pennsylvania? You can bet on it. A Democratic congressman is currently drafting a bill that would legalize poker, blackjack and other casino table games in the state.

Existing laws allow only slot machines in Pennsylvania's gambling halls, but that could change as State Rep. Bill DeWeese is expected to become speaker of the Democrat-controlled House of Congress in January.

A representative for DeWeese said that permitting table games would allow Pennsylvania gambling halls to be competitive with those in other states.

The move would also create more money for property tax relief - the initial reason slot machines were legalized in 2004. The state's first and only slots parlor opened Nov. 14.

But gambling advocates say games such as poker and blackjack attract younger and wealthier gamblers. Slot machines used to generate 85% of casino income, which is no longer the case.

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