Republicans Call for Attorney General Oversight in Slots Licensing

Republican senators claim the state attorney general should be more closely involved in the licensing of casinos and slots-related businesses to secure that valid requirements are met before qualifying for licenses.

Some anti-gambling GOP senators, including Jane Orie of McCandless, Jeffrey Piccola of Dauphin, Jake Corman of Centre and Pat Vance of Cumberland, recently raised concerns regarding two licenses given recently to slot machine supplier companies, middlemen whose strategy was buying slots from manufacturers and then reselling them to casinos.

One supplier license went to Liberty Gaming of suburban Philadelphia, whose investors included a trust for two minor children. "That was a disgrace,'' said Orie.

The children's father was Capitol lobbyist, Stephen Wojdak. Since Orie's remarks, Wodjak has withdrawn the children's trust.

CGR Gaming Associates of Philadelphia also received a licence, even as Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Chairman Mitchell Rubin is included in the business.

In reaction, Piccola said, "Mr. Rubin's position as a public official certainly raises a lot of questions." Piccola stressed industry players and observers might wonder whether politics affects the slots licensing process.

Given the circumstances, the above-mentioned senators want to add attorney general oversight together with other changes to the slots legislation passed in July 2004.

Tuesday, 29 August 2006
Darren G. Strachan