|
Senate Approves Pippy's Gambling Bill
Acting to ensure that the highest ethical and professional standards are applied
to slot machine gambling in Pennsylvania, the Senate today approved a
legislative package that would eliminate the one-percent ownership threshold and
expand the Attorney General’s power to prosecute crimes associated with gaming,
according to Senator John Pippy, R-37th District and prime sponsor of the bill.
“Senate Bill 1209 addresses a number of issues and concerns about gaming that
have arisen since the enactment of Act 71,” Senator Pippy said. “This
legislation will resolve beyond any question the concerns raised about public
officials holding any interest in gaming venues or suppliers. In addition,
the legislation provides the Attorney General with sweeping powers to prosecute
any criminal activities discovered to be associated with gaming in
Pennsylvania.”
A key
provision of Senate Bill 1209 would specifically bar any ownership by state,
county, municipal and party officials, executive-level state employees and their
immediate families in gaming venues, their holding companies, affiliates or
associated businesses. It would also ban having a financial interest in
businesses that manufacture or supply gaming venues.
The
legislation excludes mutual funds, pension funds, blind trusts, and Section 529
tuition account programs.
Individuals covered by the provisions of Senate Bill 1209 would have three
months to divest or could face a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to
$1,000 and up to one year imprisonment, Senator Pippy said.
“There is a perception under the current law that public officials stand to
benefit from gaming,” Senator Pippy said. “This legislation will make it
clear that public and party officials cannot and will not benefit from gaming.
They will be barred from holding any interest in gaming venues or the businesses
that supply those venues.”
The
legislation also addresses a request by the Attorney General’s Office and the
State Police to expand the jurisdiction of prosecutions for racketeering and
organized crime. The legislation would add the new gambling offenses of Act 71
to those crimes prosecuted under the existing Pennsylvania’s Racketeer Influence
and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
“These
criminal sanctions are the toughest state law provides to combat organized crime
and would further expand the authority of the Attorney General,” Senator Pippy
said.
Senate
Bill 1209 requires that the Gaming Board adhere to the provisions of several key
statutes and regulations including the Right-to-Know Law, the State Adverse
Interest Act, the Open Meetings (Sunshine Act), Ethics Standards and Financial
Disclosure, the Procurement Code, the Commonwealth Attorneys Act, the
Commonwealth Documents Law, and the Regulatory Review Act.
In
addition, Senate Bill 1209 would mandate background checks by the Pennsylvania
State Police for all employees of the Gaming Board and it would prohibit Board
members and employees from holding or campaigning for public office or actively
participating in any political campaign.
“This
will ensure that the activities of the Gaming Board are open to public review
and that they follow established state guidelines for conducting business,”
Senator Pippy said. “Further, it sets accountability standards for members of
that Board and its employees.”
The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
|
