Bill allowing taverns to offer small games clears Legislature
Intelligencer Journal
Lancaster New Era
Lancaster New Era
Updated Nov 18, 2013 18:27
Harrisburg
Originally Published Nov 18, 2013 17:02
By KAREN SHUEY
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
The Pennsylvania Senate gave approval Monday afternoon to a bill that will allow thousands of bars and taverns to profit from gambling while keeping some of the profits to boost the state budget.
Under the legislation, which now moves to the governor for his signature, bars and taverns can seek licenses to conduct punch card games, daily drawings and tavern raffles.
Bars and taverns have fought for decades to level the playing field with private clubs, which they say undercut them with low prices for alcoholic beverages and food.
Members of private clubs, concerned about losing their primary revenue source for community giving and operating costs, have fought back.
But this plan attempts to sweeten the deal for those clubs.
House Bill 1098 would permit nonprofit groups that bring in less than $40,000 annually from the small games now to keep all of the first $20,000 they make.
And the clubs that make more will be able to keep 40 percent of gaming profits — an increase from the 30 percent they're allowed to pocket now.
Even with a projected windfall for the state, most of Lancaster County's GOP delegation — Sen. Lloyd Smucker and Reps. Ryan Aument, Bryan Cutler, Gordon Denlinger, Dave Hickernell, Mindy Fee, Keith Greiner and Steve Mentzer — refused to support the bill. The lawmakers said their votes reflect their consistent opposition to the expansion of gambling.
Sen. Mike Brubaker and city lawmaker Mike Sturla, the lone Democrat, supported the legislation.
Under the legislation, which now moves to the governor for his signature, bars and taverns can seek licenses to conduct punch card games, daily drawings and tavern raffles.
Bars and taverns have fought for decades to level the playing field with private clubs, which they say undercut them with low prices for alcoholic beverages and food.
Members of private clubs, concerned about losing their primary revenue source for community giving and operating costs, have fought back.
But this plan attempts to sweeten the deal for those clubs.
House Bill 1098 would permit nonprofit groups that bring in less than $40,000 annually from the small games now to keep all of the first $20,000 they make.
And the clubs that make more will be able to keep 40 percent of gaming profits — an increase from the 30 percent they're allowed to pocket now.
Even with a projected windfall for the state, most of Lancaster County's GOP delegation — Sen. Lloyd Smucker and Reps. Ryan Aument, Bryan Cutler, Gordon Denlinger, Dave Hickernell, Mindy Fee, Keith Greiner and Steve Mentzer — refused to support the bill. The lawmakers said their votes reflect their consistent opposition to the expansion of gambling.
Sen. Mike Brubaker and city lawmaker Mike Sturla, the lone Democrat, supported the legislation.
Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/920689_Bill-allowing-taverns-to-offer-small-games-clears-Legislature.html#ixzz2l8qeu1kK
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