News on Gambling Expansion

Gambling fanatics residing near the Hollywood Slots Hotel are anticipating the success of the appeal of Penn National Gaming, the parent company to which the Hollywood Slots Hotel, as well as Raceway, belongs under, to the state government with regards to offering table games such as poker and blackjack as a promotional offering to celebrate their first year after the hotel’s move to the new facility.  Hollywood Slots moved out of its temporary location at the Millers Restaurant and into 500 Main Street back on the 1st of July, which the latter now houses at least 1000 slot machines.

It was only last Wednesday that the Hollywood Slots Hotel reached its first year anniversary after moving into the new facility at 500 Main Street.  According to Hollywood Slots general manager Jon Johnson, as a way to celebrate their first successful year at the new facility, he is opening up plans to expand their gambling offerings through additional table games such as poker and blackjack.  This not only allows them to expand financially but also to become more competitive with rival casinos such as those in Connecticut and other gambling states.  Quoting from Johnson himself, “…and in order to compete with Connecticut those are the amenities that we’re going to have to offer.”

Although this is big news both for employees of the Hollywood Slots Hotel and players of poker and blackjack, none of this is going to become a reality until the state law to permit expansion through additional table games has been passed.  What’s more, there have been reports on several oppositions to the hotel’s plans for expansion.  Dennis Bailey of the Casinos No group says he and the members of his group will stop at nothing to halt any attempt of gambling expansion, while Governor Baldacci made it clear his opposition to the idea of gambling expansion.

While the Hollywood Slots Hotel continues on their plans for expansion, in Delaware a three-person panel under the Markell administration sought the help of a legal and expert consultant to assist them with drafting the rules and regulations for table games.  This not only means having to spend time searching for a competent consultant but will also push back the arranged opening date of Delaware’s Las Vegas-style games in its three racetrack casinos such as poker, blackjack, and roulette.  Quoting from chief of staff Tom McGonigle last Tuesday, “But we need to be realistic and need to do this right, and if it takes more time that’s what it’s going to be.”  Tom McGonigle is chief of staff to Governor Jack Markell.  The General Assembly required the panel to issue a report by July 28, which is a month before the consultant can be hired.

It was only last Monday when the Delaware Lottery Office sent out requests or proposals on table game consulting services to firms and businesses of about a dozen in number.  Applications to these proposals, according to Lottery Director Wayne Lemons, are due on the 10th of August and the said three-person panel will be reviewing them and will issue a recommendation to him on the 24th of August.