A late vote in the Pennsylvania House puts a new casino law closer to being passed, as the bill was approved to be added to an underlying bill as an amendment by a 97-95 vote. The new measure would create a fifteenth state casino license, and legalize table gaming at state casinos.The law would demand high licensing fees for table game permits, and tax the new games at 14 percent of revenue. The resulting state income could top $320 million over two years, say gaming experts.
Opponents criticized the law as too favorable to casino operators, and full of pork for legislators, such as the additional license which may bring bidding between a Gettysburg group and another in Fayette County.
"There are more lobbyists and interest groups involved in this law than you and I here on this floor," said Representative Mike Vereb, referring to the vested concerns pursuing the bill's passage.
Other lawmakers criticized provisions in the law which would designate funding toward pet projects of certain key voters.
But the bill would also reform much of the state's regulation of casinos and gambling, including doubling the waiting period from leaving state employ to working for licensed gambling operators from one year to two. It would also bar felons from owning or being involved in the operation of casinos.
Published on December 15, 2009 by VirginiaMaddox
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