Article on Xfinity home page (Kingston, Homestead: credit, how much, house)

[bloominscranton]

"6. Pennsylvania

Most Profitable Sin: Gambling ($1.32 Billion)

Revenue From Sin: $3.547 Billion (2nd Highest)


Total State Revenue: $70.4 Billion (4th Highest)

Pct. Total Revenue From Sin: 5.04 percent

Pennsylvania is the sixth largest state by population, has the fourth largest revenue, and has the second largest revenue from sin taxes. These taxes end up providing more than 5 percent of the state’s total revenue. The main source of this money is gambling. Pennsylvania makes more money through gaming taxes than any other state in the nation, even Nevada. In 2010, Pennsylvania made about $1.3 billion through taxing slots parlors. Nevada, by comparison, made about $835 million. Pennsylvania currently has ten casinos, Las Vegas has 260. The Keystone State levies a 55 percent tax on slot machine revenue, however, while Nevada’s tax is only eight percent. Apparently, this tax has not done much to dissuade gamblers. Revenue from slot machines rose from $13.4 million in 2006-07 to just below $1.75 billion in 2008-09, according to the Center for Gaming Research. ".

I am not a gambler, but I see people here in NEPA everyday and most likely those that can least afford it, buying 20- 100 dollars worth of scratch off tickets. What a waste, if that money was put into savings, or living expenses the quality of their lives would improve greatly. I am addicted to nictoine, and have had numerous discussions with medical professionals about the need for rehab, I need to be removed from people, places and things associated with my addication. A ger in the woods for 30 days fits the bill, but gambling? It is just bad social policy IMHO. Any thoughts?

[Lehigh Valley Native]

We own two homes, and since casinos have opened we have yet to see our school or property taxes go down. Wasn't that why we were supposed to welcome casinos with open arms? Although it is really nice to see a private institution, get two million dollars from the Luzerne County share of gambling taxes. Yet, nobody can find 40 grand to fix the fountain in the center of the city. The gambling taxes are being spent on local politicians pet projects, not to lower our taxes. Is this a Wyoming Valley issue? I don't know, and I just don't care anymore.

One of the first things I noticed when we moved here were the amount of people buying scratch offs. I had to spend a few days at a call center last year, and it seemed when people came back from lunch, most of them had scratch offs. No matter how much the confetti cannon peeps want to talk up the area, it is an economically depressed area and people are looking for an easy way out. Which is why I know several people who can't afford to pay the electric bill, but are at the casino every week.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by bloominscranton

I am not a gambler, but I see people here in NEPA everyday and most likely those that can least afford it, buying 20- 100 dollars worth of scratch off tickets.

One good thing about the PA lottery is most of that goes directly to bebefit senior citizens.

Pennsylvania Lottery - Benefits Older Pennsylvanians. Every Day.



Ironically since the Casinos are paying out about 90 cents on the dollar your odds are better there.

As far as the casinos go it's just another pork funding generator, the property tax reductions never really materialized. The districts just pumped up the taxes and they have a lot of funding going to things that are not property tax reduction.

As far as the addicts go they are going to gamble whether its at a casino or some back room. At least it's out in the open, being taxed and nothing fishy going on.

[Mr Yuk]

Gambling, smoking, and drinking.....the NEPA holy trinity.

No matter what time of day I drive by Mohegan Sun, there is a crowd there....the parking lot is packed even on a Wednesday at 3:00 in the afternoon. That tells me there are a lot of gambling addicts around here losing their shirts. And even with low-paying jobs and high unemployment, people around here always seem to find money to drink and buy cigarettes that cost 5 bucks a pack.

[Mr Yuk]

Originally Posted by Lehigh Valley Native

We own two homes, and since casinos have opened we have yet to see our school or property taxes go down. Wasn't that why we were supposed to welcome casinos with open arms? Although it is really nice to see a private institution, get two million dollars from the Luzerne County share of gambling taxes. Yet, nobody can find 40 grand to fix the fountain in the center of the city. The gambling taxes are being spent on local politicians pet projects, not to lower our taxes. Is this a Wyoming Valley issue? I don't know, and I just don't care anymore.

One of the first things I noticed when we moved here were the amount of people buying scratch offs. I had to spend a few days at a call center last year, and it seemed when people came back from lunch, most of them had scratch offs. No matter how much the confetti cannon peeps want to talk up the area, it is an economically depressed area and people are looking for an easy way out. Which is why I know several people who can't afford to pay the electric bill, but are at the casino every week.

Didn't you apply for the homestead exemption when they sent out the forms for it a couple of years ago? We've had between 200 and 300 bucks knocked off of our yearly property tax bill. And that comes from casino revenue.
http://www.ehow.com/about_5394580_pe...ax-relief.html

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by Mr Yuk

and buy cigarettes that cost 5 bucks a pack.

Mine cost $1, I roll my own.

Originally Posted by Mr Yuk

Didn't you apply for the homestead exemption when
they sent out the forms for it a couple of years ago? We've had between 200 and 300 bucks knocked off of our yearly property tax bill. And that comes from casino revenue.

It's a shell game as it is with all tax cuts/increases, you have to pay attention what the previous taxes were and what happens to them. The total tax goes up and they give you break on that bringing them down to previous levels and call it a tax break. It's the same thing with education cuts Corbett is proposing, the cuts actuallyincrease state spending but you won't see that mentioned in the newspapers. The difference is the budget ballooned with the stimulus under Rendell, instead of cutting back state taxes they increased spending. It's money the state never had to begin with.

Legislators grapple with proposed education cuts, philosophy change | PA Independent

In the short-term, the end of stimulus funds drove Corbett's call for a $1.3 billion cut in basic education funding from the state budget this year. Although state taxpayer funding for K-12 schooling is actually increasing by about $200 million, it is more than canceled out by the $1.4 billion drop in federal funds.

[PeeAye Native]

Originally Posted by bloominscranton

I am not a gambler, but I see people here in NEPA everyday and most likely those that can least afford it, buying 20- 100 dollars worth of scratch off tickets. What a waste, if that money was put into savings, or living expenses the quality of their lives would .... Any thoughts?

Originally Posted by Lehigh Valley Native

One of the first things I noticed when we moved here were the amount of people buying scratch offs. I had to spend a few days at a call center last year, and it seemed when people came back from lunch, most of them had scratch offs.

Buying $20 worth of scratchoffs is not unique to NE PA, or even PA in general. Spend some time in Buffalo, NY and you'll see it happen more than anywhere in this state.

[Mr Yuk]

Originally Posted by PeeAye Native

Buying $20 worth of scratchoffs is not unique to NE PA, or even PA in general. Spend some time in Buffalo, NY and you'll see it happen more than anywhere in this state.

Buffalo is very similar culturally to NE PA....its even the only other place I've found that calls pizza a "tray." And might be the only place with better hot wings than here.

[frank754]

If people can afford it, especially if they are from out-of-town, I say by all means let them gamble here, as it helps seniors and the budget. But I do agree it's an addiction. I've refused to gamble all my life, a dollar in the hand is at least a sure thing as far as being spendable. My wife will gamble occasionally for fun, but usually breaks even. She says (when I told her this story) that it would be really nice to see some of that money spent fixing the roads.

[Lehigh Valley Native]

Originally Posted by Mr Yuk

Didn't you apply for the homestead exemption when they sent out the forms for it a couple of years ago? We've had between 200 and 300 bucks knocked off of our yearly property tax bill. And that comes from casino revenue.
Pennsylvania Homestead Tax Relief | eHow.com

We have a home in Lehigh county and filled out the exemption, but have not received a refund or tax credit.
We did not fill one out for the house in Kingston

Originally Posted by PeeAye Native

Buying $20 worth of scratchoffs is not unique to NE PA, or even PA in general. Spend some time in Buffalo, NY and you'll see it happen more than anywhere in this state.

I know people buy them everywhere, I just think a much larger % of the population buys them here. at least it seems that way.