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Committee Backs Pippy's Gambling Bill
Legislation Banning Ownership
in Gaming Venues Set for Tuesday Vote
HARRISBURG -- Legislation
introduced by Senator John Pippy (R-37th) to ban elected and appointed state,
local and party officials from holding any financial interest in gaming venues
across the Commonwealth is headed for a Tuesday vote in the Senate after being
reported out of the State Government Committee today.
Senate Bill 1209 is
co-sponsored by all 29 Republican senators and seven Democrats and it received
unanimous support from the Committee.
Senator Pippy’s bill would bar
any financial interest by state officials in gaming venues, their holding
companies, affiliates or associated businesses. It would also ban having a
financial interest in those entities that manufacture or supply these gaming
venues.
Speaking prior to the Committee
vote, Senator Pippy said the plan is to build a consensus behind SB1209 as a
vehicle to ensure ethical and professional standards are in place to guide
gaming in Pennsylvania.
“This is not an attempt to
retract the gaming legislation,” Senator Pippy said. “With this legislation, we
will address the concerns that have been raised by the public.”
Senate President Pro Tempore
Robert C. Jubelirer told the Committee that the plan is now for members to
consider amendments on Monday and to hold a floor vote on the bill on Tuesday.
He added that the General Assembly could not simply make a rule change to ban
ownership.
“We are going to hammer out an
agreement on language to fix the six or seven major areas of public concern
about the gaming bill,” Senator Jubelirer said.
Committee Chairman Charles
Lemmond supported eliminating the one percent ownership threshold.
“No other section of the
gaming act has served as such a lightning rod for public comment,” Senator
Lemmond said.
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