Don't gamble with corruption

There is too much money at stake in opening up Pennsylvania to slot machine gambling to allow any crack in ethics rules governing the conduct of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, its members and employees.
Where there are cracks, graft will eventually flow. That fact should be so evident that we can't imagine why any board member would hesitate to adopt the strictest possible ethics regulations. Even if today's board members trust themselves and each other implicitly, they must know that they will not be on the board forever.
Ethical standards must be established from day one and must be structured to cover present and future members in such a way that no one could conceive of profiting through service on the board -- and no one in the gambling business would dare to seek a favor.
The regulations adopted by the board last week do not reach that standard.
Qualified ban
The board adopted a ban on a gift or favor given with the understanding that it would influence a board member's vote or official action. And it banned discussing a matter pending before the board. That kind of wording only encourages people to think they'll be able to do business through winks and nods.
What the board needs is an absolute ban on gifts or favors to board members and employees from any interested parties or their surrogates.
With individuals and companies vying for 14 sites and 61,000 slot machine licenses in the state, the gaming board must send the strongest possible message that all business will be conducted scrupulously.
To the extent that board members are not willing to do that, the people of Pennsylvania should be fear the future of legalized gambling in their state.