Department of Health Reaches Out to Problem Gamblers

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board along with the Department of Health, Revenue and Agriculture is sponsoring “Problem Gambling Awareness Week” which aims to reach out to individuals who may not realize they have a gambling problem.

The board wants people to understand that while the public should enjoy the state’s casinos and lottery games, it can be a slippery slope for many gamblers. They believe the worst part for many gamblers is that they don’t realize they have a problem and therefore, don’t seek help, often at the cost of relationships, finances, and personal anguish.

In January the board launched a statewide campaign for a help website and the state's gambling addiction hotline takes calls 24 hours a day according to the Department of Health.

Robin Rothermel, director of the Health Department’s Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs, says the counseling service has a financial aspect.

“The majority of these individuals by the time they’re seeking service have destroyed themselves financially,” Rothermel says. “We do a lot of work with credit counselors and financial planning and those types of things to individuals back on their feet as well.”

The department of health has joined in the cause to raise awareness of problem gambling because gambling can be as much of a health issue as excessive drinking or smoking.

“Individuals who smoke gamble at a significantly higher rate than those who don’t. Individuals who are chronic users of alcohol gamble at a significantly higher rate than those who don’t,” Rothermel says. “We know that the public health issues are all intertwined so that why we feel it’s addressed by the health department.”

For those seeking help, the department of health encourages people to call the 24-hour hotline at 1-877-565-2112 or by accessing the new website www.paproblemgambling.com.

Hearing on Table Games in PA

Supporters of an effort to bring table games to Pennsylvania casinos say the measure will likely end up as part of the budget process.
A host of industry experts appeared before the House Gaming Oversight Committee to discuss the prospect of legalizing blackjack, craps, roulette and other table games in Pennsylvania’s casinos.
Greene County Democrat Bill DeWeese, who’s sponsoring the House version of the bill, says the commonwealth could generate over 100 million dollars in licensing fees if table games are legalized this year.

"As the budget negotiations drag on at a very slothful place, the need for revenue becomes more apparent. It’s a screaming need for revenue. This is not casual. This is an emergency. And it’s not as if we are pushing something that is brand new. This is something we have been talking about for at least a decade and a half."

Majority Leader Todd Eachus, a Luzerne County Democrat, argues the oversight structure for expanded gaming is already in place.

"The facilities in Pennsylvania where table games would take place are already licensed. There would be an additional license fee associated with the table games. But they’re already regulated and the oversight of the Gaming Control Board is already there at all the sites where there could be additional table games."

DeWeese’s bill would impose a 21 percent tax on games, while a competing Senate measure would set a 12 percent rate.
A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi says the Republican isn’t opposed to legalizing table games, but wants to see gambling reform legislation passed first.

House Committee Looks at Table Games

A State House committee will turn its attention today to legalizing table games in Pennsylvania. The issue is gaining traction as lawmakers explore new revenue sources to lessen the need for tax hikes.
The House Gaming Oversight Committee will take a look at the logistical challenges of bringing table games to Pennsylvania casinos at a hearing today.
Committee Chair Dante Santoni, a Berks County Democrat, says he believes a table games bill would pass the General Assembly more easily than legislation legalizing video poker in bars, the topic the committee has focused on for most of this year’s session.

"Casinos are there, and the Gaming Control Board oversees them, and will take oversight over the table games issue. So I don’t think there are as many questions as to—a lot of the questions that we had regarding video lottery. So I do think it’s an easier sell, if there’s any such thing as an easy sell in the gaming world."

Minority Chair Curt Schroder, a Chester County Republican, says he’s frustrated the panel is turning to table games after focusing on video poker for most of the year.

"I believe we should be an oversight committee first, as our name states and implies, and not a committee that spends its time trying to figure out ways to expand the operation of gaming in the commonwealth."

Schroder says he wants to overhaul the Gaming Control Board before considering bills to expand gambling, though Santoni says table games could be voted on along with the budget.

No Dice still wants to Help

Although the doors at the Rivers Casino are open, there is still an anti-gambling group urging citizens to not go through them. No Dice President Bruce Barron says educating others will now be its primary role.

"This is a very, very dangerous place," he says. "They have high level psychological manipulation all designed to separate you from your money. Gambling addiction envelops a significant portion of the population."

Barron says No Dice can also aid in doing things to "limit the carnage." He cites closing casinos overnight, establishing loss limits and mailing notifications to gamblers each month listing how much money they lost.

Bike Signs Near Casino are Changing

Controversial biking signs on the North Shore biking trail that are adjacent to the newly opened Rivers Casino are being replaced. George Matta, a spokesman for Rivers Casino, says signs were up over the weekend telling bicyclists to walk their bikes through the property. He says the signs are now being replaced today, telling bicyclists to "use caution". Matta adds that "the trail is for public use."

Pittsburgh Casino Opens

More than two and a half years after the slots license was awarded, a year after the majority ownership changed hands, plus a name change, the Rivers Casino opens at noon today on Pittsburgh's North Shore.
In December 2006, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board voted to award Pittsburgh's slots license to Detroit businessman Don Barden to build the Majestic Star Casino. Barden ran into financing troubles and last summer the gaming board agreed to accept Neil Bluhm's Walnut Street Capital group as the lead owner with High Pitt Gaming as an investor. Don Barden retains a small stake in the casino. The name was then changed from Majestic Star to Rivers Casino.

After test runs Wednesday and Friday, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board gave final approval for the casino to open to the public today. Rivers Casino President Ed Fasulo says they expect to generate more revenue than any current casino in Pennsylvania..."We will start with 3,000 slots machines, that includes all the virtual games, virtual roulette, virtual 21, etc., 3,000 total. After six months, we can request from the Gaming Board to expand that number."

Board spokesman Doug Harbach says they expect the Rivers Casino to generate about $425 million a year but that's not expected to take away from the Meadows Casino which opened 2 years ago..."You see a totally different facility at the Meadows with different amenities that players are looking for to spend their entertainment dollars. You'll see different things in Pittsburgh....a different crowd of people and how they want to spend their entertainment dollars."

Members of anti-gambling group No Dice are expected to protest outside the casino.

Casino May Bring With It Gambling Addictions

The Rivers Casino is scheduled to open on The North Side Sunday at noon.

With it will come over a thousand new jobs and millions in tax revenue. But many say that with it will also come an increase in pathological gambling.

We speak with a number of people about the possible effects of the casino in Pittsburgh and how casinos have affected other areas.

Listen to the story here.

Test Runs at Rivers Casino

In preparation of their grand opening later this month, Rivers Casino is hosting test runs today and Friday, with generated revenue going to local charity organizations. Rivers Casino spokesman George Matta says two trial runs are mandated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Board regulations, and the events are by invitation only. He says the four beneficiary groups are the Allegheny County World War II Memorial, the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, Allegheny General Hospital and the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh.

Urban League CEO Esther Bush says it's an honor to be chosen, especially in the difficult economic times for charity organizations. She says she is glad that those at Rivers Casino chose diverse groups that are representative to the city.

Matta says it's difficult to say how much money the test runs will generate, but more than 4,000 invitations were sent out to various charity organization donors and city officials. The test run today will go on until 5 p.m., and on Friday it will run in the evening until 10p.m..

Tour of The Rivers Casino

Executives from The Rivers Casino and The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board gave media a tour of The Rivers Casino, which is scheduled to open on The North Side on August 9th.
The casino will have four bars, five restaurants and three thousand slot machines.
It is expected to make between $360 million and $425 million in its first year, more than any other casino in the state.

Rivers CEO says "Yes But" to Table Games

Rivers Casino President Ed Fasulo says he has been in contact with state lawmakers as they begin debate on the possibility of expanding the state’s gaming laws to include table games. He says he is very much in favor of the legalization of table games but only if the is a tax rate “is one that that we could live with.” “We have asked for that to be no more that 20%“ says Fasulo, “It makes no sense to have a 55% tax rate on table games.” The Rivers Casino still being built on the north shore has 30-thousand square feet of space that Fasulo says could be turned into table game space in 4-7 months. He says it is much more expensive to run table games than slot machines so the tax percentage needs to be lower. The extra cost comes in hiring dealers and pit bosses and adding another layer of security. The Rivers Casino plans to hold test days for its slot machines Aug. 5 and Aug. 7 with a public opening August 9.

Casino Opening Delayed Four Days

The Rivers Casino has asked for a four-day delay in its opening date and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control board has agreed. Rivers President Ed Fasulo says his management team was thinking about the delay for the last few weeks and then made the request after a storm sewer break damaged 45 slot machines beyond repair. Fasulo says the heavy rains last week backed up all of the storm sewers in the area and the backpressure caused a pipe joint to break sending water into an area being used to store the machines. As the construction was nearing completion it became clear that the extra days would be needed. Fasulo says, “A lot of systems are being installed, there is a lot of connectivity involved and you want to have a good comfort level that we can get things done and in compliance with everything [the Gaming Control Board] needs and we thought it was prudent to ask for four more days.” Fasulo says putting a finer point on a completion date on a project when it is nearing the end is not unusual. The Rivers Casino will now hold test days Aug. 5 and Aug. 7 with a public opening August 9.

Nonprofit Says Gaming Industry Funds Officials

A state nonprofit group says public officials have accepted over $4 million in political contributions from gaming industry organizations over the past 8 years. Common Cause of Pennsylvania says the April State Supreme Court ruling that struck down a ban on gambling contributions has "opened the spigot" for even more money to come in from the gambling world.

Common Cause Associate Director of Development James Browning says the Commonwealth has a bulls-eye painted on it by the gaming industry. "The public has no protection at all when it comes to money coming in. In fact, Common Cause is calling on elected officials now to disclose any gaming contributions they have received since the April Supreme Court decision," says Browning.

He says the state's weak Sunshine Laws don't give the public much insight into political contributions. "It's hard to find out exactly how much has been spent. The real problem is there are no limits on campaign contributions in the state," says Browning. Studies have indeed shown a lack of transparency in the state's government. A 2007 study conducted by the nonprofit Better Government Association gave Pennsylvania an "F" grade (53 out of 100) in terms of political transparency.

He says while there's nothing illegal about this money-moving process, it certainly isn't encouraging. "It is hard to protect the integrity of the political process when the gaming industry has such enormous power to get candidates who share their views elected and to gain special access to elected officials through campaign contributions," says Browning.

Table Games for PA?

A top House Democrat is once again dealing out a bill to legalize table games in Pennsylvania casinos. It’s failed before, but some lawmakers seem more willing to consider the proposal due to the commonwealth’s tough financial straits.
Greene County Representative Bill DeWeese has been pushing for table games ever since casino gambling was legalized in Pennsylvania.
It hasn’t passed in previous sessions, but this year supporters are framing the measure as a way to bring in additional revenue, and help bridge a 3.2 billion dollar budget gap.
Governor Rendell says he’s not a fan of the idea, and he doesn’t think it would bring in enough funding to make a dent in the deficit, but he’s not completely opposed.

"It just doesn’t accomplish enough. And again, I think we need to wait until everybody’s up and running. If the legislature sent it to me and it was the will of the legislature, would I consider signing it? I would consider it."

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, a Chester and Delaware County Republican, says table games aren’t a viable solution for the coming fiscal year, since it would take the Gaming Control Board several months to set up a regulatory system.
"It doesn’t seem reasonable to factor any revenues into the current or coming fiscal years. It’s more of a situation where if we do allow table games it would be the year after the year that we enact it that we would likely see tax revenues benefiting the commonwealth."

Pileggi says if the General Assembly does consider the measure, there should be a series of public hearings, so that commonwealth residents can weigh in on the debate.

PA Rep. Calls for FBI Crackdown on Video Poker

The ranking Republican on the House Gaming Oversight Committee wants federal officials to crack down on illegal video poker vendors operating within the commonwealth. Rep Curt Schroder of Chester County has sent letters to the FBI, Justice Department and other federal agencies asking them to investigate profits vendors are making off the 17,000 illegal video poker machines the state police estimate are being operated in the commonwealth. Schroder says shutting down the vending operations would nip video poker in the bud, and work more effectively than raiding bars and taverns. Schroder says, “Focus on the vendor and supplier level. In order to enforce the law, focus on that, look at their tax avoidance. That will clean this up right away. If there are no vendors and suppliers out there to supply it, the activity will stop.” Schroder says he’s “not convinced state police are giving [vendors] the scrutiny they deserve.” Major John Lutz, who heads the state police’s Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, concedes vendor investigations aren’t a high priority, since they’re labor-intensive and can last more than a year. But he says federal officials are already involved in the investigations the state police carry out.

Casino Milestone

The Rivers Casino has made great strides in progress, with the final beam of the parking garage being placed today. The casino's general manager, Ed Fasulo, says the project is on time and on budget to open this August. Construction started in March of last year.

Fasulo says there are 450 construction workers contributing to the project. Many of them are working today, with a blast furnace heating them through the blistering cold weather. Also, over the next month, he says he's expecting all external construction to be finished.

Orie Wants New Gaming Board Members

A local state senator wants the four legislative caucus leaders to recall their appointments to the gaming control board. Senator Jane Orie says she has already been talking with her caucus leader and has reintroduced legislation that would reorganize the board. Orie says the members of the board have been negligent in their duties to the point that their actions could be seen as criminal. The legislation calls for the caucus appointee to be approved by two thirds of the senate. It would also force the board members to give up any outside jobs. The members are paid $145-thousand a year. The governor names the three other members of the board. Orie says the board has botched the handling of the licenses awarded to Don Barden in Pittsburgh and Louis DeNaples in the Poconos. The four legislative appointees all have terms that expire on Jan. 19.

Allegheny County Not Ready For Gambling Addiction

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh say there are not enough gambling addiction counselors to serve the potential increase in clients when the slots casino opens in Pittsburgh. In an effort to help, the Pitt Department of continuing education will begin to offer training for counselors. Department Director Tracy Soska says he had hoped to be able to benchmark the level of gambling addiction in the region before the casino opened but was never able to find the funding. A portion of the money raised through the sale of the casino licenses was set aside to help social service providers create and grown gambling addiction treatment and prevention programs.

PA has "Smoking" Slot Machine Numbers Today

Today is the first day casinos across the state can ask the PA Department of Revenue for information comparing the activity at their smoking and non-smoking slot machines. 90 days ago a state law went into effect forcing casinos to allow smoking at just 25% of their machines. Meadows Casino spokesperson Dave Latorre says they will ask for the numbers because it is good business to have all the information at their disposal. He says it is unclear how long it will take to go through the statistics and he would not speculate what the numbers will show. Latorre says any statement now would be based on anecdotal information and he does not want to start down that path. He says this is too important of an issue to do that. If the report from the state shows the smoking machines are out performing the non-smoking machines then a casino can petition to be allowed to increase the number of machines in smoking areas. Marketers admit factors such as machine placement could have as big of an impact on use as a machine’s smoking status.

Barden Refinancing Hearing Put On Hold

PITG Gaming owner and Majestic Star Casino developer Don Barden asked the state Gaming Control Board for a hearing extension about his $630 million refinancing plan. PITG spokesman Bob Oltmanns says litigation costs, market failings, and other delays have hiked up the amount needed to complete the casino. As a result, they are proposing to change several aspects of the agreement that predicated their award of a gaming license. PITG wants to refinance through Credit Suisses, delay construction of non-gaming facilities, and divert a $3 million grant for Hill District redevelopment. Oltmanns says while there was no explicit agreement that PITG would invest in the Hill only if they received redevelopment rights to Mellon Arena, it was understood in negotiations that whoever won the gaming license would also gain those rights. They were awarded to the Penguins. Oltmanns says Barden wants permission from the city to spend the money in other ways in the Hill. He would not speculate on PITG's next move if the plan is denied.

Lenzner asks PAT for right to run Casino shuttle

The Port authority of Allegheny county is reviewing a proposal submitted by Lenzner Coach Lines to run a bus from a few downtown hotels to the soon to be built slots parlor on the north shore. State law gives PAT the right to approve or deny any such service in the county. PAT spokesperson Judy McNeil says the application was short on specifics and the authority is trying to get more information about the proposed route and the expected fare. The casino is expected to be open next year and the new light rail service to the north shore is expected to open two years later. It is unclear if PAT could award a finite license to Lenzner. Among the questions to be answered is how such a service would impact the new light rail line.