AFA of PA ACTION ALERT
June 24, 2020
Issue
Big Push for Massive Gambling Expansion
Details
Seems like the parting actions of outgoing Senate Pro-Temp Joe Scarnati is to expand gambling even more in Pennsylvania before he leaves the Senate!
We already have the bill which would expand gambling into airports. (HB 1023)
Then there’s the bill that would place video gaming terminals in American Legions, VFWs and Volunteer Fire Departments. (HB 499)
And, we can’t forget the bill to add video gaming terminals to liquor stores! (HB 1682)
But, apparently that is not enough for Senator Joe Scarnati! It all began last fall in Las Vegas as the top lobbyist for a gaming company helped host a fund-raiser for Scarnati. Tickets ranged from $7,500 to $25,000! Several months later, executives from the gaming company, Golden Entertainment, poured thousands of dollars into a campaign committee controlled by Scarnati and close associates. Now Golden Entertainment and others want to bring thousands more video gaming terminals into PA and their lobbyists, Scarnati and other top Republican leaders are working behind closed doors to garner the votes needed to pass a bill that apparently has no number yet!! “Conveniently,” it appears the gaming industry is drafting the exact language of the expansion bill!
The 2017 gambling expansion placed video gaming in truck stops. Currently there are 135 terminals at 27 truck stops. Senator Joe Scarnati and Senator Majority Leader Jake Corman are pushing to allow these video gaming terminals into bars, taverns, social clubs and other venues with liquor licenses. Basically, they are taking all three of the aforementioned bills and trying to roll them into one. The proposal also seeks to regulate and tax so-called skill game machines for the first time.
Supposedly, all this is to offset property taxes for seniors and will help small businesses ravaged by the coronavirus shutdown. Have any of you seen any property tax relief from any previously promised tax relief?? And, the best way to help small businesses is to open the economy up entirely and lift some regulations.
Action Steps
Contact your State Senator and State Rep and tell to vote ‘No” on ANY gambling bill that comes up for a vote.
Loading ...