Taxpayers Receive Relief Thanks To Slot Gambling In Pennsylvania

For all of the debate that goes on involving whether casino gambling is good for an area or not, on Monday, proponents of casinos chalked up a victory in the state of Pennsylvania. Governor Ed Rendell announced tax cuts thanks to slot gambling in the state.

Homeowners will receive a property tax break of around $200 per household because of revenue money that has been given to the state from Pennsylvania casinos. Last year, the tax cuts equated to about ten percent for homeowners.

Senior citizens in the state may have been the most affected group from the tax cuts. Around 110,000 seniors will now have no property taxes thanks to the slot gambling. Rendell believes about $770 million will go towards reducing property taxes in the state.

"When new casinos are proposed, opponents are always pointing to crime and problem gambling," said observer Orestes Lopez, "But Pennsylvania and other states are showing that more good than bad can come out of casino gambling."

The Property Tax Relief Fund was created out of the 2006 Taxpayer Relief Act. The goal was to use gambling revenue from Pennsylvania casinos to help reduce property taxes for homeowners. In two years, the tax cuts have been in the millions because of the gaming revenue.

In future years, the tax cuts may even grow larger thanks to expansion that is taking place in Pennsylvania. Casinos are being built in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, and the Meadows Racetrack & Casino will open their permanent facility on Wednesday.

April 13, 2009
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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