Gaming briefs for Dec. 22, 2003

Monday, Dec. 22, 2003 | 9:13 a.m.

Gambling measure fails

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- A marathon night in the Senate resulted in the hard-fought passage of $1 billion in tax increases that could complete Pennsylvania's budget six months late, but efforts to approve gambling-financed property tax cuts collapsed Saturday before the sun rose.

The bills now go to the House of Representatives, where they are expected to pass today, albeit with disappointment that no gambling bill that would raise revenue for a property tax cut will accompany them.

The gambling talks that began Friday and stretched through the night broke down early Saturday after Gov. Ed Rendell and lawmakers failed to agree on various issues, primarily whether the bill should include gambling licenses for Indian tribes.

Lawmakers had hoped the gambling bill, which was intended to raise $1 billion for property tax cuts, would ease the political pain of the tax increases.

Track's expansion plan OK'd

DUBUQUE, Iowa -- The Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino wants to add 400 slot machines as part of a $15.6 million expansion plan.

The Dubuque Racing Association, the nonprofit license holder of the racetrack casino, approved the expansion plan Friday.

Officials say the proposed expansion is a matter of survival.

The plan calls for the casino to increase from 12,000 square feet to 27,000 square feet. It would add 400 slot machines bringing the total to 1,000.

"It will be a roomier, more consumer-friendly atmosphere," said Bruce Wentworth, general manager of the racetrack and casino.

The association would pay about $6.1 million, most coming from the casino's reserve fund. A seven-year loan would cover the remaining $9.5 million of the $15.6 million price tag.

The proposal is the result of a two-year study by the association, Wentworth said.

A bigger casino would bring in about 450,000 more customers each year, generating about $2.3 million more each year for distribution to the city and area charities, officials said.