The high hopes of table games at racinos at Pennsylvania tracks was jolted yesterday when governor

Ed Rendell told philly.com that he now thinks there is no chance of such a bill reaching his desk, and that he has ordered his cabinet secretaries to begin the process of reducing their staffs.

Rendell earlier had said he would cut 1,000 state jobs and services, including state museums and parks, if the legislature did not approve the table games bill by January 8.

He told reporters, “I wouldn’t be asking our secretaries to go through the exercise of preparing layoffs if I had confidence,” and when pressed for the chances of the legislators ending their political warfare for the good of the state and passing the bill, he answered, “nil.”

He said, “I’m not sure we will ever have a table games bill.” A more optimistic view was expressed, however, by the chief architect of the bill in the house, representative Dante Santoni, who said that legislative staffers were meeting this week on the issue and he thought the two chambers could resolve their differences when they return January 5.

The bill would allow blackjack, roulette and other games at the state’s racinos and casinos.

(Harness Tracks of America)