Table games vote set for Jan. 28

Jan 27, 2010 — Dover Post

Doug Denison

Dover, Del. -

Legislators set the stage today for a vote Thursday to approve the establishment of table games at the state's three casinos.

The Senate Judicial Committee cleared the House bill authorizing table games and setting the rules by which revenue from the games would be split between the state and the casinos.

A short time later, the House Gaming and Parimutuels Committee approved a companion Senate bill that lays out criminal definitions and penalties for cheating on table games.

Both bills cleared their original chambers Jan. 21 and are on the other house's agenda for Jan. 28.

Table games are estimated to generate approximately $40.5 million for the state's budget next fiscal year.

The number represents a 29.4% share of total revenues slated to go to the state plus licensing fees to be paid by the casinos.

Casino heads say if the bills pass this week they can have poker tables up and running in four months, with other table games to follow in six months.