From Mirror staff reports

If plans come to fruition, gamblers might be able to go to Duncansville to play on video gaming terminals, similar to slot machines.

Rutter’s announced Monday that it has chosen Marquee by Penn LLC, an affiliate of Penn National Gaming Inc., as its terminal operator for video gaming terminals in Pennsylvania.

Rutter’s is requesting to put VGTs in 20 of its Pennsylvania stores. Among those on the list for VGTs are Rutter’s two Duncansville-area stores at 234 Kuhn Lane and 935 Plank Road. Both sites are listed on the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board website as “unauthorized” at this point.

In addition, the Keystone Res­tau­rant and Truck Stop Inc. in Loretto has received conditional license approval for video gaming terminals, according to the Pennsyl­vania Gaming Control Board.

Those two Rutter’s locations and the Keystone in Loretto are the only locations in Blair and surrounding counties on the state list applying for VGTs. The list was updated on Friday.

Under the gaming expansion law signed by Gov. Tom Wolf in 2017, truck stops meeting certain criteria are eligible to have up to five VGTs. VGTs are similar to slot machines, and the law sets maximum bets at $5 with a maximum payout of $1,000, according to a release by Rutter’s and Penn National Gaming.

VGTs have a randomly generated outcome from the previous play, the same as a video slot machine, according to the gaming board. While not in operation in the state currently, VGTs will accept only cash. The return-to-player rate is mandated at 85 percent, the same as for slot machines. That means over time, VGTs should pay out about 85 cents of every dollar wagered.

Players play against each other rather than against the house. Only people 21 years old or older are eligible to play.

Winnings will be paid out at redemption machines located on site. VGTs must be in an area segregated from minors and under the observation of an employee.

Penn National received its conditional license from the Gaming Control Board to act as a terminal operator and expects to provide and service the VGTs at the Rutter’s locations, subject to final regulatory approval by the PGCB.

“We look forward to working with Rutter’s to introduce VGT gaming in the commonwealth,” John Finamore, senior vice president of regional operations for Penn National Gaming, said in a release. “Like Rutter’s, we started with a single facility in central Pennsylvania. Today, we are the largest regional gaming operator in the United States with a demonstrated track record of providing quality entertainment and customer service. We are excited to combine our expertise with Rutter’s established success in the convenience store industry to offer VGT gaming at their qualified locations.”

More than half of the gross revenue from VGTs will go to the state, the Public Opinion of Chambersburg said. Forty-two percent of the proceeds will go to Pennsyl­vania’s General Fund, and 10 percent will go for grants awarded by the Common­wealth Finance Agency to any county.