Pennsylvania to talk gaming expansion on Sept 11

Lawmakers in the state won’t address the expansion of gaming in Pennsylvania until September 11.

US.- Pennsylvania has been considering a gaming expansion in order to fix the out-of-balance 2017-2018 state budget for quite some time now, and even if it seemed like lawmakers could return to speak about the subject during the first days of September, two more weeks could pass before officials resume the activity.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the gaming expansion includes online gaming platforms, video gaming terminals and daily fantasy sports. The US$2.2 billion plan supported by the Governor Tom Wolf relies exclusively on tax increases and the expansion of those modalities, but House leadership and some other members have already expressed their discontent with the proposals, as local news outlet GoErie reported.

One of the main concerns revolves around the extend of the expansion across the state, but even though the House leaders support the legalisation of video gambling terminals in bars and other facilities, the Senate is not so sure about it. Sen. Dan Laughlin, of Millcreek Township, R-49th District, said: “It’s been tenuous from what I have heard. But I think that my gut instinct is the House is going to want VGTs as part of the budget. I think if that makes it in, there will be a compromise, and hopefully we’ll get this done here shortly.”

Moreover, as the outlet said, Erie lawmakers are waiting for House and Senate leaders to call them back to activity, but if they don’t get noticed, the House will return to session on September 11 and the Senate on September 18. Nevertheless, the governor asked lawmakers to go back to work: “I think there are a lot of adults in the room in Harrisburg, and some of the folks on the House Republican leadership ought to get their act together and finish the job.”