Delaware could already be in over its head with casino gambling

Short of a serious and successful legal challenge, Delaware is going to have real casino-type table games to bet on at the start of next year.

Because of the way the General Assembly approved the legislation, a three-member panel consisting of the finance secretary, controller general and an executive from the racetracks have been charged with setting up the rules, regulations and revenue distribution formula for table games. That would include oversight of table games, also known as law enforcement and security.

It’s not as yet clear whether the Legislature really understood what it’s getting itself into with its late-night, nearly invisible approval of the table-game committee. Delaware, whether anyone has noticed, is virtually sitting on the edge of becoming the most prolific gambling venue this side of Nevada. And we’re talking about doing this in six months?

When New Jersey started its casino gambling in the late 1970s, it took a couple of years to formulate licensing regulations, establish, train and equipment the Casino Control Commission – which regulates and enforces everything from casino licensing to card counters – and run through several nights of “dry runs” to ensure dealers, bartenders and security personnel understood the state regulations.

Here in Delaware, the talk now is having the state Lottery Office to hire “40 to 50 new positions, possibly all state employees,” to meet state oversight responsibilities. That’s absurd and an irresponsible prediction by Gary Pfeiffer, the finance secretary.

Mr. Pfeiffer and his committee must quickly acknowledge their ignorance on this subject and bring in the gaming professionals. The state will no longer just be playing with penny slot machines tied into a security monitor in Dover.

from Delawareonline.com

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