Report Shows Casino Lobbyists Wrote Bill Banning Unregulated Machines
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Report shows casino lobbyists wrote a bill that would have made unregulated "games of skill" illegal in Pennsylvania. The bill was never considered. Speeches about the issue continue in the current legislative session in Harrisburg. Skill games are not regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. They are different from truck stop video gaming terminals that are legal in that state. The companies operating them do not pay taxes.
Parx representatives wrote the language for the bill and participated in planning sessions. A political action committee funded by Parx Chairman Robert W. Green has contributed $323,500 since 2018 to politicians, including $10,000 to Tomlinson. Tomlin's staff shared with lobbyists a mark-up of the law with Gov. Wolf's office comments.
Parx representatives wrote the language for the bill and participated in planning sessions and "drafted talking points" and other related materials. A political action committee funded by Parx Chairman Robert W. Green has contributed $323,500 since 2018 to politicians, including $10,000 to Tomlinson. Tom linson's staff shared with lobbyists a mark-up of the law with Gov. Wolf's office comments.
After the pandemic, Pennsylvania shut down its physical casinos for months. Lawmakers failed to make progress on the skill games debate. Some legislators propose legalizing and taxing them. The casino lobby is against this idea. There are six months left in this year's session. One of the legislators has sponsored a bill that would ban gray machines. Another one would legalize them based on revenue provided to the entities that host them, which doesn't sit well with the casino lobbyists.
