Why Pennsylvania is moving slowly toward slots.
Where, oh where, are Pennsylvania’s slot machines?

The slots initiative in the Keystone State can be compared to a horse who has survived a grueling race to cross the finish line in first place, and is now awaiting the outcome of a foul claim.

July 5, 2005, marked the first anniversary of Governor Ed Rendell’s historic signing of a bill authorizing as many as 61,000 slot machines throughout the state, with race track purses, the breeders’ fund and horsemen’s organizations collectively slated to receive approximately 12 percent of the gross revenues from most slots facilities.

It is an awe-inspiring prospect, certain to dramatically alter the landscape within the Mid-Atlantic racing industry and beyond.

But the fate of the slots law is now in the hands of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which has heard arguments on a lawsuit brought by several anti-gaming groups.

The court case does not take aim directly at slots; instead, it challenges the process by which the state legislature passed the slots bill. The process that was used is common practice in Pennsylvania and in other state legislative bodies. To speed up passage, the Senate amended a bill that already had been authorized by the House of Representatives. The slots language was cleared by the Senate as an amendment to a bill dealing with the Racing Commission’s fingerprinting procedures. It then went back to the House, which swiftly voted its approval.
The court (itself an elected group) is under no obligation to render its decision anytime soon. Meanwhile, the situation remains politically charged. A ruling that affects the way the legislature conducts its business will naturally raise the ire of its members.

The state has moved ahead with the establishment of its Gaming Control Board, mandated in the law. The seven-member board met for the first time in December, has conducted regular monthly meetings since then, and has promulgated temporary regulations. Its chairman is Thomas (Tad) Decker, a 58-year-old corporate attorney who also currently serves on the board of the Delaware River Port Authority.

Still, the Gaming Control Board is awaiting the outcome of the Supreme Court case before hiring an executive director and legal counsel.
That’s where Pennsylvania stands at the moment with regard to slots. Here, as in other states, it’s not about horse racing—but all about politics.