Republicans look to change gambling law

Thursday, Oct. 7, 2004 | 9:10 a.m.

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- State Senate Republicans, many of whom opposed the state's new gambling law, moved Wednesday to approve a range of amendments to the 3-month-old law that would, among other things, significantly widen the attorney general's oversight authority.

The amendment also would wipe out a provision exempting slots parlors from local zoning ordinances and a requirement that slot machines be purchased through a Pennsylvania-based distributor.

By Wednesday evening the bill hadn't yet reached the Senate floor, but in an earlier committee meeting, the provisions were attached to the amending legislation on three party line votes of 11-6.

Democrats said the Republicans' amendment amounted to superficial measures designed to frustrate the growth of gambling in Pennsylvania, now that Gov. Ed Rendell signed a bill on July 5 allowing up to 61,000 slot machines at 14 different venues.

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