Blackjack Plan for PA Casinos Busted by Rendell

PENNSYLVANIA -- As reported by the Patriot News: "Gov. Ed Rendell has allowed players at the state's casinos to be served free drinks, but he said they will have to wait for blackjack and other
Governor Rendell of Pennsylvania  table games.  Yesterday, Rendell signed a bill that allows free cocktails for slot players from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.  Lawmakers passed it last week in the final moments of the two-year legislative session.

"But he balked at a plan being advanced by Rep. Bill DeWeese, D-Greene, the presumed choice to be the next House speaker, to immediately expand the state's gaming law to allow table games in casinos.

"'We have to make sure that what we've done with the expansion of gaming is successful and works well and whatever negative sides there are to it, that we can control them,' Rendell said at a Capitol news conference.

"Rendell said that could be two to three years after the 14 casinos are up and running, which might be after his next four-year term has expired.

"The state's gaming law limits casinos to offering slot machines.

"Pennsylvania's first slots parlor, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs near Wilkes-Barre, opened this month. Penn National Gaming Inc. plans to open a slots parlor at its Dauphin County racetrack in 2008.

"A House Republican spokesman and a key Republican senator, who pushed the passage of the slots bill, agreed with Rendell that it is too soon to expand gaming...."