Greencastle opted out for mini-casino

Greencastle Borough Council members voted unanimously to opt the borough out as the potential location for a mini-casino.

Under the recently approved plan to fund Pennsylvania’s budget, licenses for 10 new mini-casinos will be auctioned off across the state and each would have 300 to 750 slot machines, up to 50 gaming tables, off-track betting and registration for cell phone igaming.

“By Greencastle standards that’s not small,” said Councilman James Farley, adding a casino is “not advantageous to our town even if it brings in money.”

Municipalities have a one-time chance to opt out as a casino location by the end of the year. They can opt back in, but will not get another chance to say no.

Municipalities and counties that host mini-casinos will receive 2 percent of the profits from slots and 1 percent from table games.