Pa. casino operators allowed to make campaign contributions

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Pennsylvania Legislature went too far in banning casino owners and executives from making any political campaign contributions, Pennsylvania’s highest court ruled Thursday in wiping out what had been touted as a major bulwark against the gambling industry’s influence.

The Supreme Court said the law’s approach to banning all contributions was an overly broad and harmful attempt to combat corruption — or even just the appearance of corruption — that violated the state constitution’s guarantee of free speech.