Nov 15, 2017 4 min read

The state Legislature gave municipalities and counties the opportunity to opt out of a provision in a new law that allows video gaming terminals at businesses, including truck stops.

The Washington County commissioners are ready to exercise that option.

According to a resolution prepared in advance of the commissioners’ agenda-setting session Wednesday, the board is prepared to ban the devices at truck stops.

There are two locations in Washington County that meet the law’s definition and could potentially be home to as many as five gaming terminals: Pilot Travel Center, 205 Wilson Road, Bentleyville, and the Route 519 Truck Stop in Somerset Township.

Possibly part of the mix could be what was known locally as the Claysville truck stop along Interstate 70. Frank Brownlee, head of Brownlee Trucking Inc., purchased the site in 2015.

Commission Chairman Larry Maggi said a site of at least three acres, selling an average of 50,000 gallons of diesel fuel each month last year, with a convenience store, a license for lottery sales and parking spots for 20 or more commercial vehicles could qualify as a truck stop for VGT installation under the law Gov. Tom Wolf signed in late October.

According to the website of Commonwealth Gaming, which has experience in Illinois, Louisiana and Oklahoma, “VGTs are like low-stakes slot machines,” taxed by the states and regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

The commissioners or other local officials have until Dec. 29 to prohibit gaming expansion, according to county Solicitor J. Lynn DeHaven. Airports also were added as potential venues for the gaming terminals, but due to the relatively small size of the Washington County airport, “I feel fairly comfortable in saying it wouldn’t be economically feasible to put video gaming terminals in our airport,” the solicitor said.

The terminals would not be operated independently, but would be installed by a casino or gaming corporation.

“That’s what we’re told has happened in other states where there are the provisions,” DeHaven said.

Asked if The Meadows Racetrack & Casino influenced his decision, Maggi said, “They did not take a position with us. They kept us in the loop of what was going on with the legislation. They told us the pros and the cons.

“The Meadows has been a good corporate neighbor. It’s the number one tourist spot in the county, and we didn’t want to fool with that. It’s been a success story. It has pumped millions and millions of dollars into our economy and infrastructure with the Local Share Account.”

According to a Nov. 1 story in the Observer-Reporter on the implications of gambling expansion, it appears the owner and operator of The Meadows, Pinnacle Entertainment, “is sticking to spending on its brick-and-mortar operation locally.

“Last month, Allie Evangelista, the new general manager of The Meadows, told Washington County Chamber of Commerce members that in the past year, her company has spent $4 million on new slot machines, as well as another $1.2 million on relocating table games to improve the guest experience. By year’s end, it also plans to add a dozen ‘stadium gaming’ terminals that enable guests to wager with dealer assistance.

“In 2018, the casino is looking to spend another $1.1 million on 50 additional slot machines, will spend between $5 million and $9 million to upgrade its food and beverage service, and will increase its summer concert program with 10 additional acts, as compared with this year.”

The state Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional parts of the Gaming Act regarding the local share of gambling revenue, but Washington County was able to negotiate and enter into a memorandum of understanding with The Meadows to continue its contribution to the Local Share Account. For example, the county’s 66 municipalities received $1.22 million in slots payments in the third quarter of 2017.

Due to its financial straits, Pennsylvania expanded legalized gambling to generate more revenue for the commonwealth.