Rutter’s to get video game gambling in one store, 19 locations still seeking approval

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has granted a license to the owner of Rutter’s to install video gambling at a store in Juniata County, making it the first chain convenience store to break into the state's gambling market.

And York County should see amplified gambling opportunities soon. Applications for gaming terminals at 18 Rutter’s stores await approval, including those in the York and Wrightsville area. 

The Rutter's locations include:

• 4425 W. Market St, West Manchester Township 
• 129 Leader Heights, York Township 
• 2125 Susquehanna Trail, Manchester Township 
• 362 N. Main St., Loganville
• 201 Cool Springs Road, Wrightsville 
• 368 Lewisberry Rd, New Cumberland

Up to five terminals are allowed at a store. Each play has a randomly generated outcome from the previous play, the same as a video slot machine, according to the gaming board. 

More:Digital gambling machines could come to a Rutter's store near you in York County

More:York Galleria casino: What you need to know about public hearing, Penn National's plans

They will accept only cash, with a maximum bet of $5 and a maximum payout of $1,000. The return-to-player rate is mandated at 85 percent, the same as for slot machines. 

Gambling has injected more than $385 million into Pennsylvania coffers in the first year since a law was passed to expand gambling in the state, according to an analysis by PlayPennsylvania.com. 

The revenues are coming in at about $1 million a day and have surpassed state budget estimates, according to Jessica Welman, analyst for PlayPennsylvania.com. Most has been generated from fees, rather than tax revenue gained from gamblers.

More than half of the gross revenue from them will go to the state:

• 42 percent into Pennsylvania’s General Fund.
• 10 percent to grants awarded by the Commonwealth Finance Agency to any county.

Not everyone is excited about the expansion of gambling in the state. Two Lancaster County state senators are trying to fast-track legislation that would allow municipalities in third-class counties such as York, Chester and Lancaster counties to prohibit video gaming terminals through a resolution. 

They want municipalities to have the option to opt-out of the machines, like the option of housing mini-casinos.