Pennsylvania

New Developments (updated 4/28/03)

Riverboat gaming measure: Pennsylvania House Bill (H.B.) 1089 would establish the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission and authorize it to issue up to eight riverboat gaming licenses.

The bill defines a “riverboat” as any type of watercraft, which need not be self-propelled and may be permanently moored. The definition includes barges.

Each gaming license would allow the licensee to operate one riverboat casino, and no person would be permitted to operate more than two licensed riverboats.

The measure would require applicants for a gaming license to pay a nonrefundable application fee of at least $250,000, while authorizing the commission to charge a fee in excess of that amount.

Gaming licenses would be renewable biannually upon payment of a $25,000 renewal fee.

Riverboat casinos would be permitted to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Adjusted gross gaming receipts would be taxed at the rate of 15 percent.

When introduced on April 8, H.B. 1089 had 34 cosponsors, with Rep. Michael R. Veon (D-Beaver) as the lead sponsor. It was referred to the House Finance Committee.

Two of the bill’s sponsors, Reps. John E. Pallone (D-Armstrong) and Kenneth W. Ruffing (D-Allegheny), sit on the Finance Committee.