Friday, September 07, 2007
If it is “Not If, But When”, Then Why Did they Wait At All?
Yesterday’s blog entry noted that the House Majority Leader wants to get the ball rolling on discussing table games so as not to lose a step in the gambling “arms race” with West Virginia. A newspaper article today outlines some of the sentiment in the House from supporters in the House and in the gaming industry. Even the opponents refer to implementing table games as a “win-win”. The train is full steam ahead.
So why wait? If this is the prevailing attitude, the foresight should have been for the Gaming Board to do this once, not twice. Supporters would likely say that they took the incremental approach—show the benefits of slots, let the programs and proceeds develop, and then go for the full package. But those same supporters now note that there is not enough time to wait.
The process is going along slowly. Only five of the 14 slot parlors are up and running. The state has just settled on a plan for a final harness track, which is virtually guaranteed to get a slot license. So while we have heard all of the great initial benefits, we have yet to realize the costs; for instance, what happens when there is a parlor in the City of Pittsburgh and what effects will it have on gambling at the Meadows and the track in Lawrence County?
What about the value of gaming—it obviously goes up if there are table games. Does that call for a new round of licensing and application fees?
Pardon us if we find table games as a fait accompli a bit delusional.
So why wait? If this is the prevailing attitude, the foresight should have been for the Gaming Board to do this once, not twice. Supporters would likely say that they took the incremental approach—show the benefits of slots, let the programs and proceeds develop, and then go for the full package. But those same supporters now note that there is not enough time to wait.
The process is going along slowly. Only five of the 14 slot parlors are up and running. The state has just settled on a plan for a final harness track, which is virtually guaranteed to get a slot license. So while we have heard all of the great initial benefits, we have yet to realize the costs; for instance, what happens when there is a parlor in the City of Pittsburgh and what effects will it have on gambling at the Meadows and the track in Lawrence County?
What about the value of gaming—it obviously goes up if there are table games. Does that call for a new round of licensing and application fees?
Pardon us if we find table games as a fait accompli a bit delusional.
