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It looks like Pennsylvania’s House and Senate aren’t
done adjusting the new slot machine legislation. The slot machine industry
in Pa. has not seen a change in the gambling law in two yeas, much to the
chagrin of many within the House and Senate. The problem lies in the
differences in legislation each sector believes is necessary; just last week
the House of Representatives sent back one of the bills to the Senate-after
approving some changes of course.
This slot machine bill seems destined to bounce between the House and Senate
for even longer with this latest round of revisions and criticism. Basically
proponents see this bill as a way to strengthen regulations and enforcements
within the slot machine and gaming industry. Some of the petty behavior
between the branches include adjusting provisions just because they were
written by the other side. With all of these delays it begs the question of
whether or not the slot machine bill will finally gain approval before the
legislative sessions ends.
Many recognize that this bill has been passed around too many times to
continue the petty and counter-productive behaviors. According to republican
House Majority Leader Sam Smith, "there's a limit to how many times we can
bounce this ball back and forth across this building. If we amend this bill,
this bill then will be sitting in the Senate in the lame-duck session, and
at that juncture, all bets are off ... as to whether or not we will actually
be able to get a very solid reform bill in front of this governor this
session."
Others just want the slot machine and gaming legislation updated quickly so
another version of the bill could be submitted soon if lawmakers consider
the harm the other legislature could bring if no new legislation is passed.
A sample of what the bill will add to the industry is a gambling-crimes
unit, no more slot machine middlemen, and eliminate the possibility of
political gain by rewording the section on public officials owning and
receiving funds from the slot machines and casinos.
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