Title
Authorizing the Committee on Education to hold public hearings to examine the possibility of the Pennsylvania General Assembly authorizing the addition of slot machines and other gaming equipment at Philadelphia International Airport to enhance traveler experiences and provide an additional funding source for the School District of Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, Philadelphia International Airport accommodated over 30 million passengers in 2013 with over 600 daily flights and 200 businesses on-site. Once past the TSA check-point, travelers are limited to in-terminal entertainment and food options, and slot machines and other video gaming options would provide new entertainment opportunities for all adult travelers; and
WHEREAS, McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, NV is by far the most gambling friendly airport in the world. With more than 1300 slot machines and other gaming apparatus, the airport provides at least $27 million per year to Clark County as part of their contract with the concession operator at the airport. In 2013, McCarran airport hosted 41 million passengers, meaning the municipal government realizes nearly $.66 for each passenger in gaming revenue. Pennsylvania currently taxes slot machine revenue at $.55 for every dollar, significantly higher than Nevada. If Philadelphia were realize a similar per passenger rate, we could see over $15 million a year in new revenue; and
WHEREAS, Other states and municipalities have recently begun debating and implementing similar arrangements. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport just added video gaming terminals to their facility last year as an attempt to produce revenue for the building of a new football stadium. Just this month the New York State Senate voted to approve video gaming terminals and slot machines being installed in airports such as JFK International and LaGuardia Airport. Chicago and Baltimore have also investigated this idea as a revenue generator for their c...
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