At today’s County Commissioners’ Work Session, a NewsLanc reporter asked the Board of County Commissioners whether they would support the introduction of slot machines in the Lancaster County Convention Center if meager Convention Center returns necessitated an increase of the “hotel tax.” In response, Commissioners Craig Lehman and Dennis Stuckey (with Scott Martin absent) expressed a firm opposition to the introduction of slots.
The question was posed in light of an April 19 Sunday News article entitled “Slots in city? Don’t bet on it,” which addressed the topic in considerable detail, but did not offer statements from some of the most important voices on the matter.
In response to NewsLanc‘s inquiry, Lehman stated, “…I can say unequivocally that I am opposed to gambling.” He also indicated that, in his estimation, slots would not provide an adequate solution to any potential issues down the road: “I just personally don’t believe that slot machines and table games are problem-solvers.”
Stuckey spoke in equally unequivocal terms: “I wouldn’t be supportive of slot machines. As a matter of fact, a couple of years ago, when one was proposed for Downtown, I collected signatures opposing that and sent it legislators. That’s my position.” He also implied that he does not lend much credence to the Convention Center slot machine discussion, calling it a “persistent rumor.”
