Slots coming to PA!

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board approved the state's first casino licenses on Wednesday, paving the way for slots parlors to open as soon as mid-November.

In what board Chairman Tad Decker called a ''historical moment'' and Gov. Ed Rendell ''a major milestone,'' the seven-member board unanimously agreed to temporarily license five of the six racetracks hoping to operate casinos.

They are Pocono Downs, just outside Wilkes-Barre; Philadelphia Park in Bensalem, Bucks County; Chester Downs in Delaware County; Penn National in Grantville, Dauphin County; and The Meadows in suburban Pittsburgh.

Pocono Downs could open as early as November, making it the first slots parlor in the state. Philadelphia Park and Chester Downs, which have said they could open in December and January respectively, are considered the other top contenders for opening Pennsylvania's first casino.

After two years of lawsuits, infighting and other delays, the license approvals propelled the state's plan to use tax revenues from slot machines to revive Pennsylvania's horse-racing industry and offset property taxes. In 2004, lawmakers legalized up to 61,000 slot machines at 14 venues statewide.

''The Gaming Control Board's action is a major milestone,'' Rendell said in a written statement. ''The approval of these conditional licenses is a clear sign to all homeowners that property tax relief is on the way.''

Rendell has predicted the slots tax will generate $3 billion for property tax relief. Republican gubernatorial candidate Lynn Swann has criticized the Democrat for not delivering more.

Most tracks have begun preparations for slots.

Before temporary licenses are issued, the casinos must meet such requirements as paying a $50 million licensing fee. Additionally, the board put ''special'' conditions on some. Pocono Downs, for instance, must provide the state more information on when it will move from a temporary to a permanent facility.

Permanent licenses for the racetracks, as well as for resort casinos and stand-alone parlors such as those proposed for the Poconos and Lehigh Valley, are expected to be approved Dec. 20.