Legalization of casino table games eyed in Pa.

HARRISBURG (AP) — Table games are on the table in the Pennsylvania Legislature.

The House Gaming Oversight Committee had a hearing today to listen to an industry-paid analyst who spoke on the positive economic impact of legalizing table games at the state’s slot-machine casinos.

Committee Chairman Dante Santoni Jr. of Berks County says he believes a table games bill can pass the House, as long as key elements such as the license fee and tax rate are acceptable.

Some legislators are talking about the prospect of legalizing and taxing table games to help plug the state’s massive deficit.

The House Democratic whip, Bill DeWeese of Greene County, has introduced a bill legalizing table games and another bill is expected to be introduced in the Senate within days.