A game of chance in every hand
The blog of The Philadelphia Inquirer's Editorial Board.
A game of chance in every hand
If it turns out that the solution to the six-year slump at Atlantic City casinos fits into the palm of a gambler’s hand, then good things really do come in small packages.
That’s probably putting too much faith, though, in the latest attraction being considered for the Shore resort: allowing patrons to place bets on their cellphones, iPad-style tablets, and other mobile gadgets.
New Jersey regulators issued temporary rules for mobile betting effective this week, following state lawmakers’ approval earlier this year of a law permitting the wagering innovation that’s already in use in Las Vegas.
Mobile-device bets would work only while at a casino, thanks to technology that would block wagering elsewhere. The state Gaming Enforcement Division’s new rules also provide safeguards against underage gambling.
With the advent of mobile betting, Atlantic City casinos would have something to offer that’s not available in the Pennsylvania casinos, which — along with other states’ entry into slots and table games — have driven down casino revenues in Jersey.
That’s contingent, of course, upon Atlantic City casinos' jumping on the mobile bandwagon — something none have committed to do. In addition to technological costs, casino officials are said to be wary that Internet gambling might trump mobile bets soon.
Caution is welcome for other reasons with the move to mobile gambling. The use of such devices would permit virtually nonstop gambling — even when patrons step away from the slots for a bathroom break. More wagering means more winnings for the casinos, but, inevitably, it also means more casino patrons at risk of falling into a problem-gambling habit.
Meanwhile sitting in our Senate in the Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee since Dec. 5, 2011 is House-Bill 2004. This legislation makes the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board post on it’s website a description of all requests for access to records under the act of February 14, 2008 known as the Right-to-Know Law. Now the reason this legislation has not come out of committee is because of two amendments that are attached to it. One amendment would make all table game taxes go to the Pa. property tax relief fund and the other one would make our casinos mail monthly statements to their patrons who are enrolled in casino Reward Card programs.
These monthly casino statements would enable gamblers and their family members to spot a loved one's gambling problem before it gets out of hand. Who knows how many Pennsylvanians and their families would be in a better domestic and financial situation when being made aware, month after month, of their wins and mostly LOSSES in black and white.
You can help get this legislation passed by contacting your Pa. Senator and telling them you support HB-2009 and the amendments on it.— Bill_Kearney
