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Tim Solobay, a Pennsylvania State Representative, recently toured the still under construction Meadows Racetrack and Casino.  He saw first hand the mammoth gaming floor, the length of two football fields, equipped to hold 4,000 slot machines. 

Solobay and several other lawmakers in Pennsylvania plan to move the state beyond slot machines by introducing a bill in 2009 that would allow table games in Pennsylvania.  At one time lawmakers may have met strong resistance to expand gambling in the state beyond slot machines but revenues from table games may help bridge the short comings of a budget deficit projected to hit $1.6 billion next year. 

“I think that's definitely an asset to help (the legislation) move along,” said Solobay.

Solobay claims to have state governor Ed Rendell on his side.  According to Solobay during a conversation he had with the governor during the Pittsburgh Labor Day parade, Rendell said he would like for legalize table games in the state before his term as mayor expires. 

A Rendell spokesperson, Chuck Ardo says Solobay has taken the governor’s words out of contexts.  Rendell apparently was not talking about expanding gambling beyond slot machines but, the “expansion of venues that are not yet up and running.”

According to Ardo, the governor “believes that it's far too soon for the expansion of gambling.”

The Meadows is currently operating slot machines out of its temporary facility.  According to State Gaming Control Board statistics, the temporary facility is the third highest grossing slot machine venue among the seven currently operating this year.

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