Gaming briefs for April 26, 2005

Tuesday, April 26, 2005 | 11:04 a.m.

Board waits for court

Pennsylvania's new gaming board is on the verge of hiring a top administrator, but it all depends on the state Supreme Court upholding the nine-month-old slot-machine gambling law, the agency's chairman said Monday.

The state Supreme Court heard arguments more than six weeks ago on a legal challenge filed by gambling foes and good-government advocates. In the meantime, the agency's board has narrowed its search for an executive director to two out-of-state candidates, Tad Decker told a Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon.

The delay has presented yet another hurdle for Decker, a career private-practice attorney who has consistently complained about the slow pace of government since Gov. Ed Rendell appointed him to chair the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

Candidates are not willing to leave their jobs to work at an agency that a Supreme Court decision could wipe out, Decker said.

3,000 slot machines proposed

A legislative panel began its review Monday of a proposal to allow a Maine Indian tribe to operate a casino with as many as 3,000 slot machines at a Down East race track.

The bill before the Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee is sponsored by Rep. Frederick Moore III of Calais, the Passamaquoddy Tribal representative in the Legislature.

Moore touts the bill as an economic development measure for Washington County. Portions of the income from the slots would go to county community college scholarships and a development authority.