Spotlight PA.: Prospects dimming for push to expand Pa. video gaming

Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Brad Bumsted of The Caucus

HARRISBURG — Despite intense lobbying in recent days, prospects are dimming for top Republican senators to push through a controversial proposal to vastly expand gambling in Pennsylvania before lawmakers leave the Capitol for a summer of campaigning.
The behind-the-scenes effort took shape last week, led by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R., Jefferson) and lobbyists for deep-pocketed video gaming companies, many from out of state, that have poured thousands of dollars into Scarnati’s campaign and those of other GOP leaders.
This week, Republicans who control the Senate have met behind closed doors for hours to hash out details of the plan, which calls for allowing video gaming terminals, or VGTs, in thousands of bars, taverns, social clubs, and other establishments with a liquor license.
But since Spotlight PA and The Caucus first reported on the effort, opposition has been mounting. Some rank-and-file Republicans object to the timing of the push given the massive challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, as well as widespread protests for more police oversight.
The state’s casinos fear the expansion could further cannibalize gaming revenue, and the makers and distributors of games of skill, which would be regulated and taxed for the first time as part of the measure under discussion, are also strongly opposed.
In an interview Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R., Centre) said he was championing the effort not as a push for expanding gambling, but as a way to gain control over the thousands of skill game terminals that are operating with no oversight, including at retail locations where kids have access to playing them.
“They are everywhere and they are completely unregulated, and I think it’s time to bring them into the light of day,” Corman said.
Asked why he is also pushing for potentially thousands of new VGTs, which are currently only allowed at truck stops, Corman said he did not think it would be fair to legalize games of skill but continue to restrict where VGTs can be placed.
“It’s hard for me to say, you can exist, but you cannot,” Corman said, adding that VGTs and games of skill under his proposal could compete on an even playing field.
Corman said the measure could raise up to $250 million annually, which could initially prop up state coffers but eventually be redirected toward freezing property taxes for seniors.

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