Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack is not rolling the dice on the future of Chester; casino leaders have struck a deal with Delaware County Council and lawmakers to avert a financial disaster that could have crippled the city’s budget.
Harrah’s will continue to pay the casino host tax for 2017, even though it was ruled unconstitutional by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, according to a Philadelphia Inquirer report by Caitlin McCabe. Delaware County will receive $4.9 million, and Chester will get $10.5 million.
“I’m happy that we have some certainty because we approve our budget next week,” Delaware County Councilman John McBlain said. “We’re very thankful (Harrah’s) stepped up to the plate, as they have always done.”
Besides the Council, Sens. Thomas McGarrigle and Tom Killion were also heavily involved in striking the deal. They will continue to search for a permanent fix next year.
“The lack of funds could have proved almost crippling for Chester, which counts on casino funds for nearly a third of its annual budget,” the article explained.
Read more about the Harrah’s deal in the Philadelphia Inquirer here, and check out previous DELCO Today coverage of the casino here.
