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For Immediate
Release
6/27/06
CONTACT:
PA
Senate Republican Communications
(717) 787-6725
Senate
Approves Orie Bill to Eliminate Middlemen in Slot Machine Purchasing
HARRISBURG -- The
Senate today approved gambling reform legislation sponsored by Senator Jane Orie
(R-Allegheny) that would eliminate a controversial provision in the 2004 gaming
law that requires Pennsylvania casinos to use "middlemen" to purchase slot
machines from manufacturers.
Orie
said that using middlemen in the purchasing process is unnecessary, does
not benefit the Commonwealth, and will enable politically well-connected
individuals profit from the state's new gambling law.
"The
use of a supplier middleman adds an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy,
and that just increases costs," Orie said. "There is an opportunity for
fraud, corruption and other criminal activity."
Orie
was a strong opponent of the gambling law and has been a strong advocate
of gambling reforms, including a measure to regulate hiring practices at
the state Gaming Control Board.
"No
other state that has legalized casino gambling requires casinos to use a
middleman to buy slot machines from manufacturers or to maintain these
machines," said Orie "It is very simply a way for those with influence
to buy their way into the process."
Senate
Bill 1230 also increases the tax on gambling entities by 4 percent and
creates a fund to help the Attorney General and District Attorneys to
carry out gaming enforcement.
Earlier
this spring an amendment to eliminate the slot machine middlemen was
approved by the House by a vote of 102‑96. Shortly thereafter, the
House reversed itself and the amendment was defeated by a vote of
111‑89.
 
Orie
Wonderling
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