Sen. Farnese Reacts to Pennsylvania House of Representatives Gaming Oversight Committee Decision to Roll Table Games into Senate Gaming Reform Bill

Philadelphia, October 2, 2009 — Two weeks ago, Senator Farnese urged fellow lawmakers to pass gaming reform before considering expanding gaming by adding table games into the equation. In July, the Senate passed Senate Bill 711, which made sweeping reforms to gaming and its regulatory body, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

Unfortunately, Friday, the House Gaming Oversight Committee passed S.B. 711 with new amendments that include table games.

“I am absolutely disappointed with the decision the House Gaming Oversight Committee has made. I think it defeats the entire purpose of Senate Bill 711 and turns a deaf ear to its original intent to reform a broken system,” said Sen. Farnese.

Table games were a provision in the latest state budget agreement authorizing the addition of table games in slots parlors. The aim was to generate approximately $200 million in revenue for Pennsylvania. Some lawmakers suggested including the provision as an amendment to S.B.711, but in his September 17 floor remarks, Sen. Farnese reminded legislators the purpose of S.B. 711 was to reform a piece of legislation that is broken.

“The same vehicle that reforms gaming should not be used as a vehicle to then expand it,” said the senator. “If the bill is amended to include table games, then it will not be remembered as a reform bill, but rather a delivery device for table games.”

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