Harrisburg - The Senate approved a statewide smoking ban with an amendment that carves out exemptions for smaller liquor licensees, private clubs and 25 percent of the casino gaming floor space where slot machines are located. It is expected to cast a final vote today on the legislation sponsored by Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, R-Montgomery. The House is poised to consider a smoking ban bill sponsored by Rep. Michael Gerber, D-Montgomery.

Harrisburg -- The state's five new racetrack casinos, including The Meadows in Washington County, could be shut down as soon as July 7 if Gov. Ed Rendell can't reach agreement with state legislators on a new USD 27 billion budget for 2007-08. Sixteen Revenue Department employees who run the central casino control computer aren't considered "essential" by the Rendell administration, but the thousands of slots players who flock to the state's five casinos each day would probably disagree.

Harrisburg -- Casinos in Pennsylvania aren't allowed to have actual table games like blackjack and poker, but they could soon be bringing in a close substitute. The state Gaming Control Board has decided to allow casinos to offer an electronic table game called Table Master, which doesn't have a human dealer but is configured to simulate table games. With Table Master, up to five can play at one time. They sit at separate seats before a large, flat-screen TV, which pictures a virtual poker or blackjack dealer, who "deals" virtual cards to each of the five positions.