No big deal? - Ka-ching!

[Thatchatch]

No big deal?


It was a big deal for very many: Pennsylvania slot machine enthusiasts!


It wasn’t a big deal anywhere else, probably, but it was for Pennsylvanians; especially their numerous slot machine fans, that previously had to trek on over to ‘Jersey to get to ‘pull their handles’. As of yesterday Saturday, October 14, 2006, 61,000 of the whirring, ringing and buzzing machines were unveiled to the heart’s content of eager crowds of ‘aficionados’ all over the state.

The state's Legislature has authorized over 60 thousands slot machines at 14 venues statewide. Officials plan to use some of the gambling revenue to fatten racetrack purses and boost the state's horse racing industry. For online gambling fans in Pennsylvania, while your 1% House Edge games and the likes are becoming inaccessible, if they weren't already, don’t imagine for a moment that ‘ball lottos’ with roughly a 50% ‘House Edge’, or pari-mutuels (of the 20-30% HE range), and now with slots, estimated to be in the 90-95% return range, will not go anywhere soon. Like cancer, and AIDS they came to stay.

The over 60,000 ‘babies’ statewide were scheduled to begin whirring and going ‘ka-ching’ at a horse racetrack outside Wilkes-Barre. Some of the licenses were given to Philadelphia Park in Bensalem, Harrah's Chester Casino & Racetrack, Penn National Race Course near Harrisburg, and The Meadows in suburban Pittsburgh.


Was this the reason why I was hearing bells yesterday?! Hmm… nope: I don’t drink anymore, I swear!


Yours truly,