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Pennsylvania, Mired in a Budget Impasse, Considers Legalized Blackjack

I live and work in Pennsylvania, and I recently talked to two state legislators who said they were frustrated and disheartened by the 80 day impasse on the state budget.

Not to bore you, but it looks like a state bill to legalize games like blackjack may be passed.

Not that anyone in government gives a damn about us players. They just want our money. To help offset deficits.

State lawmakers are stepping up work on a bill to legalize table games, such as poker and blackjack, now that most legislative leaders and Gov. Ed Rendell have embraced the move to help bring in tax dollars and close a massive budget shortfall.

“That’s driving the whole issue,” said Sen. Jane Earll, R-Erie.

Table games are played in at least 28 other states, either in commercially or Indian-owned casinos.

In Pennsylvania, nine slot-machine casinos are open, providing more than $1.5 billion in tax revenue to the state and local governments in the 2008-09 fiscal year. That placed it in the top echelon of states that collect gambling revenue.

So it looks like those of us who love to play blackjack are in luck.

I’ll keep you posted.