Free Drinks on the House for Gamblers in Pennsylvania Casinos

Pennsylvania had a law that said gamblers are allowed one free drink while attending a casino, that rule was overturned on Tuesday and now Pennsylvania gamblers will be allowed all the free drinks they can handle.

The bill was brought up by the state's Senate on the last day they would be in session this year. It passed by a 27-22 vote at 9 p.m., then it went on to the House and was passed there at 11 p.m. by a 112-75 vote. The only remaining step left is for Governor Rendell to sign the bill into law.

"It's necessary to make them competitive," said Sen. Robert J. Mellow, the chamber's Democratic leader from Lackawanna County and proponent of the new law." It's that way in all the states that have gambling," such as neighboring states New Jersey, New York, and Delaware.

"Everyone knows the only reason for this change is because casinos want to see people spend more money," said Rep. Paul Clymer, who was a strong opponent of the bill. "They will spend their last dime, especially if they are under the influence of alcohol. This is caused by the greed of casinos. There will be a problem when players leave casinos at a late hour and drive away and become involved in a serious accident."

But Sen. Robert Tomlinson, whose district includes Philadelphia Park, a racetrack that will open its casino December 21, said casinos in other states, especially those in Atlantic City, already can serve unlimited free liquor to gamblers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. According to Tomlinson it is something that gamblers have become accustomed to at Atlantic City casinos and even at Delaware racetrack/casinos.

Both the Pennsylvania House and the Senate are finished for the current two-year term, which officially ends Nov. 30. They won't return until early January for the new term. The passing of this gambling law is similar to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in that gambling was a priority for the government on the last day of sessions.

November 22, 2006
Posted By Susan Torres
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com    Previous Page | Internet Gambling | Top Online Casinos | Submit News!