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December 13, 2011, 10:51 am
The House Gaming Oversight Committee this morning approved SB444, legislation amending the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act. The bill was itself amended in committee, incorporating a variety of negotiated changes. Chairman Curt Schroder (R-Chester) said moving the senate bill gives the legislature another opportunity to push forward with small games of chance, along with HB 169 which is currently in the Senate. He advised he is meeting with Senate officials to determine the best way forward before that chamber adjourns for the year.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
October 5, 2011, 12:28 pm
The House Gaming Oversight Committee this morning held a public hearing to examine a slate of proposed bills that would enact recommendations issued by the 31st Statewide Investigating Grand Jury to reform the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and make it more transparent and accountable.
PGCB Chairman Bill Ryan, along with Spectrum Gaming spokesman Michael Epps and former investigator for the Office of Inspector General James Kanavy testified on the 14 pieces of legislation, offering varied support and suggestions on the measures. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
May 5, 2011, 12:42 pm
The House Gaming Oversight Committee held a public hearing on a number of bills relating to small games of chance. Fraternal, nationally charted, and veteran’s organizations all supported HB 196. The Taverns Association supported HB 906, allowing small games of chance in for-profit taverns.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full report.
April 6, 2011, 11:31 am
Along a party line vote the House Gaming Oversight Committee approved this morning a bill sponsored by Rep. Paul Clymer (R-Bucks) that would require casinos to send monthly gambling statements to customers possessing rewards cards. Democrats against the measure contended it will effectively take money away gaming revenues and thus property tax relief, while doing little to curb problem gambling. Committee Chairman Curt Schroder (R-Chester) said the statements can be delivered in a cost effective manner and will help address compulsive gaming.
PLS subscribers check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Not a subscriber? Click here for a free trial.
February 15, 2011, 10:56 am
The House Gaming Oversight Committee held a public hearing this morning related to ex officio members of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The meeting was scheduled in light of a suit filed by Treasurer Rob McCord against the Board to allow him to attend their executive meetings. PGCB Chairman noted in his testimony that the Board’s position all along has been that the treasurer was welcome to attend executive meetings provided he signed the same Code of Ethics and Non-Disclosure Agreements that appointed members sign. He reported Treasurer McCord has since done so and attended the last three meetings of the Board. Fajt and counsel Doug Sherman indicated a greater concern for members of the PGCB relates to quasi-judicial immunity, highlighted by Donald Trump’s suit – since dismissed – against the members of the Board following the body’s rejection of his gaming application in 2006.
PLS subscribers check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story on the hearing.
February 8, 2011, 11:10 am
By a 17-8 margin the House Gaming Oversight Committee reported out HB 262 this morning, with several amendments. The bill would transfer the Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement, in charge of reviewing gaming applications, from under the purview of the Gaming Control Board to that of the Office of Attorney General. The legislation now moves to the House Floor, but Rep. Flo Fabrizio (D-Erie) reported even if it receives approval and is sent over to the Senate, Senator Jane Earll (R-Erie), chairman of the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee, has made it clear she does not intend to bring it up for a vote in her committee. Gaming Oversight Chairman Curt Schroder (R-Chester) said he intends to do what he can to ensure the bill “sees the light of day” in the Senate.
The committee also approved HB 391, which would restrict members of the House or Senate, or executive-level public employees, from being appointed to the PGCB. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
February 7, 2011, 12:21 pm
The House Gaming Oversight Committee held a public hearing on HB 262, relating to the transfer of powers from the Gaming Control Board’s Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement (BIE) to the Office of Attorney General. The intent of the bill, according to the prime sponsor, is to make the activities of the bureau independent and to allow them the chance to obtain law enforcement agency credentials. Concerns relating to the bill were expressed by members of the committee and representatives of the Gaming Control Board.
The bill is set to be voted on tomorrow in committee.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full details.
January 27, 2011, 1:16 pm
The Housing Gaming Oversight held a public hearing on HB 65, which would open up the Foxwoods license to the highest bidder through an auction process. The committee heard from a variety of testifiers including the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, and Treasurer Rob McCord. Check out the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
January 20, 2011, 11:52 am
The House Gaming Oversight Committee conducted an informational hearing on legislation that would prohibit the simulcasting greyhound racing. Although Pennsylvania enacted legislation banning greyhound racing in the Commonwealth in 2004, there is no prohibition against the simulcasting of races in other states that still permit the practice. Representatives from the Humane Society of the United States and Citizens Against Greyhound Racing testified in support of House Bill 67. The committee is scheduled to vote on the legislation on Tuesday, January 25. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
August 9, 2010, 3:13 pm
This afternoon the House Gaming Oversight Committee received an update from members of the Gaming Control Board on the implementation of table games throughout the commonwealth . PGCB Chairman Greg Fajt detailed a timeline of the board’s progress since the passage Act 1 of 2009, which necessitated “reams” of temporary regulations, thousands of applications and hours of staff training. He touted the number of jobs created due to table games expansion, and noted Pennsylvania exceeded all other states in the nation, including Nevada and New Jersey, in the past fiscal year in gaming tax revenue. Check the Committee News section of the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
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