Pennsylvania Casinos & Gambling
Pennsylvania Gambling - Pennsylvania Casino - Pennsylvania Casinos
Generally, gambling activities which are legal in the state of Pennsylvania are: Horse Racing and those conducted in accordance to the Race Horse Industry Reform Act; The Pennsylvania State Lottery; Bingo conducted in accordance with Bingo Laws of the State, and finally, local option small games of chance.
The state of Pennsylvania has seven race tracks currently. In 2002 state legislation approved the placement of 61,000 slot machines in these race tracks, turning them into ?racinos? (racetrack + casino). This expanded gambling bill also allowed for the operation of 14 casinos statewide, broken down as --- seven in Pennsylvania?s racetracks, two at resorts and five in self-supporting or freestanding facilities. License to operate casinos were priced at $50 million.
Pittsburg has already been granted one license to operate a casino, while Seven Springs, a famous resort located at Laural Mountains has applied for license to operate at least 500 slot machines in their establishment. Seven Springs Resort averages about 1.2 million visitors yearly.
A separate proposal allowing video poker and keno machines in taverns and restaurants were also passed recently by the legislation. Observers said that the state of Pennsylvania could earn a lot of money by locating slot parlors in these establishments. Not only that, but the prospect for additional job creations would mean a better economic level for the state, elevating tourism and state revenues to higher percentages. As of today, these revenues are currently lost to other areas like Atlantic City and Mississippi where legalized gaming activities abound. Finally, In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a proposed $879 million casino, with a hotel, shopping and residential area is currently being pushed by the council.
A Native American Indian tribe is also seeking gambling permits to develop Class II casinos, which would allow bingo, poker and blackjack in the state of Pennsylvania. The Delaware Tribe is a special privilege tribe under federal law. It only needs to buy land in Pennsylvania and then put this in trust which would later qualify as a property which the tribe could turn into a gaming site.
In Pennsylvania ?"Sporadic or casual act of playing cards or betting is not an indictable offense in Pennsylvania." (case of Com. V. Silverman, 97 Pitts. L.J. 88). Most poker games are played in houses as a form of social gambling. However these places should not be converted to a commercial gambling site, otherwise it would become an offense or misdemeanor punishable by law.
Many universities and professional organizations here hold variations of charity poker tournaments despite unclear statements from state representatives that charity poker tournaments are technically illegal. The Pennsylvania?s Local Option Small Games of Chance Act is an act (Pennsylvania Statute §§311-327) that was approved in 1988. It allows for non profit but eligible organizations to hold ?small games of chance? for fundraising and to promote public interest. Under this Act these are the games that may be allowed: Punchboards, Pull ?Tabs, Raffles (Includes Lotteries), Daily Drawings and Weekly Drawings.
Pennsylvania Lodging Information
Omni William Penn Hotel
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
At the center of downtown district, a few steps away from the airport, the Convention Center and other sporting and Cultural venues
Hampton Inn Philadelphia-Northeast/Bensalem
Bensalem PA
Very near the airport as well as various restaurants and cultural sites
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