As a December 31 deadline for communities to opt out of Pennsylvania’s new satellite casino provision looms, a growing number of townships is opting to vote to ban the so-called “mini-casinos,” which can offer up to 750 slots and 30 table games in a facility outside a 25-mile radius from any current casino.
According to a new report on the PlayPennsylvania.com website, as of last week, 130 townships across the state had voted to ban the facilities, set to be bid upon by current casino licensees beginning January 15.
Among the latest developments are a vote to opt out by Ross Township in the Pittsburgh area—even though the township is only seven miles from the city’s Rivers Casino. On the other side of the equation, Ready City Council voted unanimously last week to approve a resolution urging the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to approve a mini-casino in that city, which is located around halfway between Harrisburg and Philadelphia in the eastern part of the state.
