Mixed signals on airport gambling in Pennsylvania

It’s been a crazy week in the Pennsylvania legislature; Our readers will recall that it started with HB271, a bill seeking to permit slot machines in state airports, which was defeated in the House 112 vs. 79.

However, that has been followed by the news that another bill authorising tablet gambling in boarding areas at eight regional and international airports in Pennsylvania was approved Tuesday and is on its way to the state Senate!

Supporters of the second bill claim that limiting the activity to travellers who have checked in and are in the departure area will ensure that airports do not become gambling casinos; as Rep. Joe Petrarca explained:

“They have a boarding pass, and they’re in a certain specified area. You’re not going to be able to go there off of the street and walk in and gamble.”

Gabe Monzo, executive director of the Westmoreland County Airport Authority, said limiting the gambling to people at least 21 years old who are using the airport to travel means “it won’t create a burden” for the local community in terms of services, and it won’t compete with fundraising efforts of local organizations.

It’s also a money-maker for the state and the airports; the bill proposes that state casino licensees may apply for an airport gaming certificate through the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for electronic tablet gaming.

Once approved, the casino has to pay a one-time fee of $1 million. The casino would additionally have to pay 14 percent daily gross airport gaming revenue to the state’s general fund, and a “multi-use computing device” assessment of 20 percent of its gross airport gaming revenue, which would be distributed back quarterly to each qualified airport.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for all the commercial service airports to create some local revenue that they didn’t have available to them before,” Monzo said.

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