Pennsylvania Senate Votes Bill to Lower Slot Machine Count on Gaming Floors

The Senate in Pennsylvania is moving forward with a new bill that it seeks to pass into law, with the signature of Gov. Josh Shapiro. The Senate approved the bill, which could now allow land-based operators in the state to lower the number of slot machines they host.

Are Pennsylvania’s Casinos Dropping Their Slot Machines?

No, they are not. However, Pennsylvania’s land-based casinos are bracing for the new reality, which is that fewer people are attending gaming floors. While most casinos are doing well and posting solid results regardless, old rules that mandate the number of slots they have available have not aged well.

As a result, many slot machines continue to sit idle on casino floors and are not used or are not used as often, making them more or less obsolete. To address this decline in slot usage, the Senate now proposes the requirement that casinos reduce the fixed number of slots to be reduced, so that casinos can drop some of their excess stock.

The upshot of such legislation would be felt immediately, with casinos slashing maintenance costs and not needing to spend on new gaming cabinets that would not come in use that often or at all. The good news is that such a move would not affect tax contributions by casinos, as spending is likely to remain even stronger, with casinos dipping into extra cash to boost current operations.

One Final Push Before It’s All Done

As to job losses, while fewer slots would mean less maintenance, companies are unlikely to drop technicians at a time when gambling is booming.

Casinos could also use the extra gaming floor space to create other experiences that could be better tailored to modern-day crowds, who are keener on more than simply pushing a button to spin the reels. Having secured successful passage through the Senate, though, does not guarantee that Pennsylvania will indeed lower the minimum slot requirement on its gaming floors.

The House has yet to take a floor vote. Chances are the bill will pass, however, and Gov. Shapiro would throw his weight behind the proposal.