WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — A bill passed in the Pennsylvania House would allow casino-style gambling in airports, veterans halls, and truck stops.
Now, seniors are worried if it were to become law, that less lottery money would fund programs for the elderly. They are not the only ones who are concerned.
There are 18,000 people in the state who are employed by casinos like Mohegan Sun in Plains Township. Opponents of the bill say those jobs could be cut if it were to become law.
The bill to make electronic games of chance accessible outside of casinos is getting a lot of criticism.
Seniors in Wilkes-Barre who work at senior centers said it will take money away from lottery play.
"There are casinos already in the area that they can go to. If you have slot machines in pizza shops, and the airport, and stuff like that, they got casinos to go to for that," Robert Montgomery of Wilkes-Barre said.
Those in favor of the bill said it could help bar owners, local governments, and veterans organizations.
Those against it said it will hurt programs that help the elderly.
Ann Marie Bossard is the co-owner of the Anthracite Newsstand, which sells lottery tickets. She said her customers budget their lottery money use.
"They're either going to try to not pay bills or they're going to overdraw on their credit card because you only have so much of budget that you can do things with, with everything," Bossard said.
Supporters of the lottery said this new bill could be kicking it while it is already down because millennials don't play the lottery often. Kearie Nelson is one of them. She is a millennial who only plays the lottery from-time-to-time. She said she hardly sees anyone her age playing the lottery.
"I see older adults that will sit and play these slot machines if they have time, but I don't really see my age group sitting in an establishment and just playing with the slot machines," Nelson said.
The bill now goes on to the state Senate.
If it comes into law, then good luck to the people. I think it will hurt the senior citizens.
Pennsylvania's lottery gives a lot to their seniors. By Law.
Expanded gambling also means more tax revenue to fund senior programs. I see no problem with it and I doubt there is going to be a drop in lottery sales.
Unless the extra tax revenue gets moved into the states General Fund. As for a drop in lottery sales. Unlike governments, most of us live within a budget and you can only spread our cash so far so I don't see a drop or an increase in lottery sales.
Just another example of special interests trying to decide where lottery profits should go. And this group wants to dictate how people play the games.
I like your response! Rational and true.
Most seniors I see at the casinos are simply blowing their earned funds..It's how most adults game. Doubtful any of them qualify for these senior programs..And with gov.wolfe shuffling the money to cover other programs,it's silly to think seniors benefit anyways..
IT works this way in most states when a new casino or extended gaming facilities or a new track is approved by the state.....then guess who gets served first....the politicians and their families and relatives are at the front of the line for high paying jobs built-in for life. This bill is just an extension to spread the wealth to the bill makers families and insiders...as stated, those in favor of the bill said, it will HELP bar owners, local governments and veterans organizations....the bill now goes on to the state Senate, now layers of new jobs created FOR...?.
Interesting. Be careful nowadays. People just wantbyour money as fast and as many as it can take. We used to have to compete. But the big guys don't care about the little guys. Care about your elderly, always!
I'm guessing that VGTs will get axed from the gambling expansion bill in order to finally get this going. Now, the tax rate and licensing fees for online gambling that the senate proposed are another issue on its own. Simply put, 54% tax rate is too high...
Yep even the gaming commissions are full of political appointments. But every once in awhile they actually put someone lottery savy in charge.
For a moment l thought you were discussing the restructed Healthcare bill,that Mitch McConnell presented to the nation. Nevertheless,