Pa. bill would close casinos 4 hours daily

A bill introduced Thursday in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives would require the state's casinos to close between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. daily.

"I propose this legislation to help our problem gamblers take a step back for a few hours from playing slot machines and table games and understand their addiction," Rep. Will Talman, a Republican whose district covers parts of Adams and Cumberland Counties, said in a memo last month.

"By just closing for these few hours, we may be able to help a few individuals from going over the limits with gambling," said Talman, who pointed out that bars outside casinos must close from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. and that bars inside casinos already can't serve alcohol during those hours.

A Legislative Budget and Finance Committee report last year on the future of casino gambling in Pennsylvania suggested a different tack. It said legislators should consider allowing bars in casinos to keep serving alcohol from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. as a way to boost business.

- Harold Brubaker