HARRISBURG Lobbying effort wins gambling changes

Some pastors are discussing ways to defeat the slot bill.
HARRISBURG (AP) -- Gaming companies have spent at least $718,000 -- and probably much more -- on a lobbying effort to persuade state lawmakers to legalize slot machines in Pennsylvania.
In the process they have won important changes that would boost profits and loosen controls in legislation expected to win approval by the end of the year.
Senate records show that companies with an interest in gaming in Pennsylvania spent $718,000 on lobbying in the first six months of this year, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Sunday. The state House doesn't require such disclosure.
According to Barry Kauffman, a lobbyist and director of Pennsylvania Common Cause, the Senate lobbying figure is "probably a good tip of the iceberg."
Companies lobbied to allow more slot machines at gaming halls, and to be allowed to give away liquor to gamblers. They won a change to avoid having to notify officials when they sell a license.
"Track owners have tirelessly tried to weaken or eliminate public safeguards," said Sen. Vincent Fumo, D-Philadelphia, co-author of a bill that won Senate approval in June.
Tracks have a lot at stake, said Kevin DeSanctis, president and chief operating officer of Penn National Gaming Inc., owner of Pocono Downs and Penn National Race Course. Penn National spent nearly $179,000 lobbying the Senate, and DeSanctis said its total cost probably was three times that.
"We have over $100 million invested in tracks in Pennsylvania, and if gaming is not approved, we will see our industry die," DeSanctis said. "Lobbyists understand Harrisburg and make sure we get in front of the right people and get heard."
Regaining ground
The bill the Senate approved banned slot operators from making campaign donations. Senate Democrats also added a $50 million licensing fee and required notification and a transfer fee when a license changes hands.
Gaming companies regained some ground when the House approved the bill. Permitted hours of operation of gaming halls expanded from 20 to 24, and the bill allowed for two non-track venues, in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia areas. The ban on contributions was dropped, and Penn National won a transfer-fee exemption.
Fumo and the Senate leadership balked at the House changes, and broke for the summer without reaching an agreement on a final bill.
With lawmakers and lobbyists back in Harrisburg, John O'Connell, a former legislative staffer who works as a lobbyist for Penn National, remains optimistic that an agreement will be reached.
"What everyone wants has to be meshed together," O'Connell said, "and we'll swallow hard and know our goal is to have slot machines at racetracks."
Pastors group
Meanwhile, a small group of Beaver County pastors opposed to gambling is discussing ways to defeat proposed slot machine legislation.
The group of about 20 pastors met Friday at Geneva College on ways to mobilize their congregations. The antigambling drive is in response to two proposed horse racing tracks in Beaver County that would have slot machines if Pennsylvania lawmakers expand gambling.
The tracks, a harness racing facility in South Beaver and a thoroughbred facility in Big Beaver, are still in the licensing phase.
Michael Greer, president of the Pennsylvania Family Institute, spoke to the group about gambling addiction. Greer said gambling leads to increased bankruptcy, higher divorce rates, child neglect and more crime.