State Senate Schedules Slots Debate

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- By the end of the week, members of the state Senate could decide the fate of legalized slot machines in Pennsylvania.

Republicans and Democrats met separately behind closed doors Monday to discuss a plan that would allow slot machines at race tracks, like those in West Virginia and Delaware. Supporters say they narrowly have the 26 votes they need to pass aSlots bill, and hope to bring it to a vote.

The bill is scheduled for debate in the Senate Tuesday.

The bill would put 3,000 slot machines at the four existing racetracks, including Penn National in Dauphin County. It would also add 3,000 slots at each of four proposed tracks.

Supporters said one of the hurdles they face is supporters of other gambling, like riverboat casinos and video poker in bars might add their measures to a slots bill. While they feel there are enough votes to pass the slots bill, they don't think there are enough votes to pass a broader gambling bill.

Berks County state Sen. Mike O'Pake is among the undecided on this issue.

"It seems to me, that those measures -- the casinos, the riverboat gambling and all the rest -- is just too much for Pennsylvania to absorb at this time. The advantage of slots at the tracks is that betting is already going on there, and instead of losing that revenue to New Jersey or to Delaware, they would be going to a track, but even that gives me concern, so we'll have to do some heavy thinking," O'Pake said.

Because Gov. Ed Rendell, who is a Democrat, supports slots at racetracks, Republicans sources said Democrats will have to provide most of the support to pass a slots bill in the Senate.