Rendell signs law allowing unlimited drinks at casinos

He says state gambling regulators should have 'control mechanisms' in licensing agreements. Gov. Ed Rendell on Wednesday signed legislation to let Pennsylvania's slot-machine parlors serve unlimited free alcoholic drinks to gamblers — a measure that allows an exception to the state's current limit of one free drink per person.

Rendell, however, said he expects state gambling regulators to include ''control mechanisms'' in licensing agreements with the operators of gambling establishments, such as possibly limiting the per-person distribution of drinks to one per hour.

''Virtually every gaming operation around the world has this amenity, but there are rules and regulations that control it and limit it,'' Rendell said at a news conference on another topic. ''There is a tendency … to think that these gaming institutions or gaming businesses want people to get falling-down, sloppy drunk so that they'll lose more money. That isn't the case.''

The bill passed 27-22 in the Senate and 112-75 in the House on Nov. 21, before the Legislature adjourned for the year.

Proponents of the measure say it is necessary to allow Pennsylvania's gambling establishments to compete with those in other states where around-the-clock free drinks are customary.

Under current law, the state's horse racing tracks cannot serve any free drinks, and other licensed establishments, such as bars and restaurants, can serve up to one free drink per patron.

The bill will allow 14 slots parlors, including the ones at racetracks, to serve free drinks during the hours that licensed liquor establishments can serve them — from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Lawmakers who opposed the bill called it both irresponsible and unfair to other establishments that serve alcohol.