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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2009
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Senate Continues to Support for Strong Gaming Reforms

The State Senate approved gaming reform legislation that is intended to provide stricter oversight of the industry and address issues that have surfaced since the slots gambling was legalized in Pennsylvania in 2004, according to Senator Jane Orie (R-40).  

"While I was not able to be supportive of Senate Bill 711 as it was adopted by the Senate, due to the provisions expanding gaming in the Commonwealth, I was still able to ensure that strong reforms that the Senate had previously adopted were included in the final language." Orie said.  

Senate Bill 711 would make numerous changes to the law regulating casinos in Pennsylvania.  It would reestablish the prohibition on political campaign contributions by individuals and entities subject to the Gaming Act and extend the ban on felons receiving gaming licenses to a life time ban.

Among its provisions, Senate Bill 711 would:

• reestablish the prohibition on political campaign contributions by individuals and entities subject to the Gaming Act,
• create a lifetime ban for felons from receiving gaming licenses,
• allow for the consideration of all expunged criminal records,
• addresses the revolving door issue by extending the prohibition to two years and including attorneys from going to work for a licensee and
• hold both the employee and the licensee who hires them accountable for violating the prohibition.

It is very unfortunate that the reform measures and the expansion of gaming could not have been considered on their own merits.  Senate Bill 1033 and Senate Bill 1088 currently sit in the House Gaming Oversight Committee and there was sufficient opportunity for the 2 measures to be adopted separately and with transparency.

"As I have said in the past, whether we favor gambling or not, it is here to stay, but Pennsylvanians deserve a better performance from the gaming control board and the assurance that we have strong laws in place to prevent corruption and abuse." 

Senate Bill 711 now goes back to the House of Representatives for consideration.

CONTACT:

Mike Sarfert
(717) 787-6538