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Pocono News Section
Table Games Proposal Hitting Snags
Table Games Proposal Hitting Snags - Monday, October 5, 2009 at 5:51PM EST
Reported by: Mike Trim
Monday, Oct 5, 2009 @ 05:51pm EDT
PLAINS TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY -- Pennsylvania casinos will say no to table games if a state house proposal doesn't change. That's the word from a local casino president.
Table games like poker and blackjack are in proposed versions of the unfinished state budget. The debate is over how much casino's will be taxed on table game profits.
Mohegan Sun's president says casinos want a tax rate about 20% lower than what's proposed in the state house of representatives.
Mohegan Sun President Robert Soper cuts to the chase when talking about the state house's table game proposal. "I think the house legislation is a step backwards actually. The tax rate that they're proposing will effectively kill table games in all of Pennsylvania,Ó said Soper.
Soper says house leaders are proposing a near 34% tax on table game profits. He says no casino in Pennsylvania will agree with that rate.
Soper says the state senate proposal of a 12% tax is more likely to sit well with casino ownership. People at Mohegan Sun are waiting for the final deal... Justin Siegel Wilkes-Barre said, "To tell you the truth a lot of people have been talking about table games up here and they think it's a good idea, great idea.."
Soper says table games like poker, blackjack and craps would bring about 500 jobs to Mohegan Sun.
Right now, table games appear to be an important point in stalled state budget talks. The house debated all weekend on its proposal that's expected to be voted on this week.
Some here at Mohegan Sun hope for the best solution. ÒJobs have been down so that's just going to add more jobs to the place. It will help the economy it will help the city and other people too," said Peter Hooker of Wilkes-Barre.
In comparison, Atlantic City casino's are taxed roughly 8.5% on table game profits. | | |
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