American Gaming Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman criticized Pennsylvania’s plan to raise its tax on table games.
“Raising the table tax rate by 15 percent will stunt growth and put Pennsylvania near the top of an unenviable list — as one of the states with the highest gaming taxes in the country,” Freeman said in a release.
He suggests the state look at enabling new gaming revenue streams, rather simply taking a larger chunk out of existing ones.
“Instead of taking a punitive, backward approach that works for the short term, we recommend lawmakers adopt progressive policies that achieve the shared goal of driving greater revenue for the state,” Freeman said.
“This can be achieved by providing flexibility so that gaming companies can adapt to constantly changing consumer demands, such as daily fantasy sports or e-sports.”
If the tax rate is implemented, he said it would “decrease benefits that loyal casino patrons have come to enjoy. Free meals, rooms and other perks, normally given to loyal customers, will diminish and could altogether vanish.”
He also suggested it could stifle future gaming development in the state.
“In a highly competitive casino gaming marketplace, the tax hike clearly places Pennsylvania at a disadvantage,” Freeman said.
In New York, noted racing law scholar Bennett Liebman criticized Governor Andrew Cuomo’s decision to retain state control of the New York Racing Association for another year.
Liebman served as Cuomo’s deputy secretary for gaming from 2011 to 2014, and says Cuomo is making it too hard for the racing association to move forward as a viable entity.
Cuomo previously oversaw a takeover of the racing association’s board after being dissatisfied with its operations in recent years.
