HARRISBURG -- Tax relief is on the way for senior citizens -- and younger Pennsylvanians also could get that benefit from slots gaming this year.

"There's a chance ... but I'm not going to say it's absolutely going to happen," Gaming Control Board Chairman Tad Decker said yesterday.

It depends on whether the state can certify on April 15 that revenue will reach $500 million by Oct. 15, Mr. Decker told House members yesterday during a joint hearing of the Appropriations and Gaming Oversight committees.

Of that, $100 million must be held back in an escrow account while the rest could be used to reduce property tax bills.

The gaming board now has on hand about $143 million in license fees and slots revenue that will count toward the $500 million.

By law, another $200 million must go toward expanding property tax and rent rebate programs for senior citizens, widows, widowers and disabled residents. That money is guaranteed to be distributed even if revenues fall short of $500 million, said Eileen McNulty, the gaming board's chief financial officer.

Help could come soon from $250 million in one-time licensing fees for five stand-alone casinos that recently were approved to open.

However, if unsuccessful bidders for those licenses file appeals, there could be delays in collecting the fees, Mr. Decker said.

Appeals must be filed by Monday.

Any broad-based tax relief this year would amount to less than $100 for most property owners, gaming officials said.

Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans, D-Philadelphia, said he hopes broad-based tax relief comes this year but he'll understand if it doesn't.

"Everybody always knew this would not be easy. It takes time but ultimately it will benefit the people," he said after the committee hearing. "Everybody knew this wasn't going to happen overnight."

Also yesterday, Mr. Decker said some members of the gaming board are reluctant to write regulations for the distribution of free drinks at casinos, a practice the Legislature approved last November with no public notice and little debate.

Rather, they favor leaving that role to the casinos.

"Our job is to make sure people are not drunk and playing the slots," Mr. Decker told reporters. "No one wants inebriated people to play. It's not a matter if the drinks are free or not. ... The issue is that inebriated people are not in a condition to gamble or to know when to stop."