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For Immediate Release
 

Senate approves changes to gaming law

Legislation banning ownership in gaming
 venues headed to House

The Senate today approved legislation intended to reform Pennsylvania’s gaming law by eliminating the one-percent ownership threshold, expanding the Attorney General’s power to prosecute crimes associated with gaming, and ensuring accountability of the Gaming Control Board, according to Senator Bob Regola, R-39^th District.

“I do not support gaming in Pennsylvania, but the process is underway to establish slot parlors, so it is essential that we also set up clear definitions through statute to ensure gaming is above board and free of corruption,” said Senator Regola, a leader in the Senate effort to reform the state gaming law.

Efforts to reform the gambling law extend back two years since Governor Rendell vetoed legislation that would have made a number of reforms to the law including revisions pertaining to slot machine suppliers and granting power to the Attorney General to prosecute gambling-related crime.

SB 862 includes a provision based on Senate Bill 1319, a measure introduced by Senator Regola, which would require the state Gaming Control Board file comprehensive annual reports with the Senate Law, Justice and Gaming Committee, the Senate Appropriations Committee, and the designated House of Representative committees with oversight over gaming.

 “The recent activities by the Gaming Control Board make this oversight essential,” Senator Regola said. “This process must be transparent and open to thorough review by the Legislature. Gaming is not even here yet and we have already seen the need for accountability on the part of those making important decisions that affect licensing and operations of the slot parlors.”

Other provisions contained in Senate Bill 862 include:

§         Eliminating the 1-percent ownership threshold for public officials.

§         Establishing a Code of Conduct for the Gaming Control Board.

§         Ensuring that the PGCB is subject to the Right-to-Know Act, the Sunshine Law, and other
open-government laws.

§         Subjecting the Gaming Control Board to the normal state budget process.

§         Clarifying the authority of the Attorney General regarding gambling crimes.

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 Contact: Tom Hower    (717) 787-6063