Pennsylvania Senate Passes Bill Cutting Slot Machine Requirements for Casinos

The Pennsylvania Senate has passed a bill to boost regional casinos and adapt to changes in the gaming world. Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49) introduced the legislation, which aims to cut the required number of slot machines for Category 1 and Category 2 casinos from 1,500 to 1,000.

New Legislation Aims to Help Pennsylvania Casinos Adapt to Growing Gaming Market Pressures

Senate Bill 840, now on its way to the House of Representatives, aims to mirror the current state of a growing gaming industry. When Pennsylvania first gave the green light to casinos, it had little competition from nearby states. Now, with places like Ohio and New York running their own gaming operations, Pennsylvania’s local facilities are feeling the heat.

Sen. Laughlin, who represents the district with Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Erie, stressed that the original machine rule, set up almost 20 years ago, does not match today’s economic and industry situation. He pointed out that casinos like Presque Isle face more competition from out-of-state places and the growth of online betting. Changing the slot number, he said, would let these establishment shape their operations better without putting jobs or state tax money at risk.

Presque Isle Downs has already felt the pinch, getting fined earlier this year for running below the 1,500-machine limit. The casino’s bosses worry about its future as uncontrolled skill games spread across Pennsylvania.

Senate Bill 840 Balances Slot Reductions with Safeguards to Protect Pennsylvania Casinos

The bill lets casinos cut back on slots, but it also has protection measures. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board keeps watch and can say no to requests that would lower machine numbers by over 2% or bring them under the new 1,000-machine minimum. Category 3 casinos still need to keep at least 250 machines.

People who back the bill call it a sensible update to old rules. They say the freedom it gives will help local casinos stay in the game and keep going in a fast-changing market. The aim, they point out, is not to reduce gaming options but to make operations match what people want. After getting the green light from the Senate, Senate Bill 840 now heads to the House for debate. If it passes there, Governor Josh Shapiro will have the final say on whether to sign it into law.