VisitErie President and CEO John Oliver is in Harrisburg today to speak to the House Gaming Oversight Committee in favor of table gaming being allowed in PA casinos. He will also request that part of the proceeds from table gaming be earmarked for the state’s tourism industry, which includes groups like VisitErie.

Thanks to VisitErie, we have Mr. Oliver’s testimony, if you’d like to read more.

Testimony for the House Gaming Oversight Committee Hearing on Table Games

Good Morning. Thank you for the opportunity to testify in strong support of adding table games in Pennsylvania. I’m John Oliver, President and CEO of VisitErie and Chairman of the Board of the Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau (PACVB). I am joined this morning by Barry Wickes, President of the Pennsylvania Tourism and Lodging Association. Together we represent the largest tourism organizations in the Commonwealth. Our organizations work closely together to help advance tourism issues before state government.

Tourism ranks as the second largest industry in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Our state is the 4th most visited state in the country. The tourism industry generates $10.7 billion in wages and benefits, and accounts for almost 7% of all individuals employed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This is a work force of 400,000 representing our hotels, amusement parks, restaurants, ski areas, stadiums and casinos. The tourism industry has grown state and local tax revenues by 16.5% between 2003 and 2007. Expanding and improving tourism options are keys to reviving Pennsylvania’s economy. With the proper attractions and incentives, our industry can help to lead Pennsylvania’s economic recovery.

Both of our organizations have taken formal positions to support Pennsylvania adding table games. Casino gaming in Pennsylvania has been a strong positive for Pennsylvania’s economy. It has created thousands of new tourism and leisure jobs, providing new destinations that have brought more people to Pennsylvania and kept Pennsylvania tourism dollars in the state. Adding table games will create thousands of new jobs and provide more reasons for people to come to Pennsylvania and spend their dollars here. It will also allow Pennsylvania to stay one step ahead of our neighbors.

Living in Erie, Ohio and New York are a short car ride away. This year Ohio will probably approve gaming and Native American casinos in New York are very close. Table games will help Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Erie compete with these gaming options and keep the money in Pennsylvania. This is true of casinos across Pennsylvania, most are very close to neighboring states that have passed or are considering expanding gaming.

We also believe that adding table games provides an excellent opportunity to provide a dedicated funding source for tourism promotion, from a tourism business. Dedicated funding will insure that Pennsylvania’s tourism industry has proper funding moving into the future. This year, local and regional tourism promotion efforts are targeted for a 40% reduction in state funding under both the House and the Senate passed budgets. We understand that Pennsylvania’s fiscal picture is difficult, however, state tourism funding is vital to Pennsylvania and has a direct return on investment that leads to new jobs.

It is our great concern that in the future, state tourism funding for local and regional efforts will continue to be reduced, thus hurting tourism efforts in the Commonwealth. We believe that dedicating a 3% share of total table games tax revenue in the next fiscal year, within the tax rates set in a table games Bill and not adding to the operator’s table games tax burden, would provide at least $16 Million for local and regional tourism efforts. Those figures are based on The Innovation Group Study that was presented to the Committee. $16 Million is the amount of funds that were provided to fund tourism at FY 2009 levels moving into the future. Those funds will continue to build the tourism and leisure sector of Pennsylvania’s economy. This dedicated source of funding for regional and local tourism promotional efforts would allow for approximately $9 million to be returned to the general budget.

I have attached the official position of the PACVB and PTLA to my testimony for your interest.

Gaming in Pennsylvania has been a very positive event, creating new jobs and providing us with new venues to promote and market Pennsylvania. Adding table games now is a logical step to continue the expansion of tourism activity and to provide a proper vehicle for funding tourism promotion and job creation activities.

Again, thank you for allowing me to testify and Barry and I will gladly answer any of your questions.