The state Senate yesterday voted to prohibit politicians and their families from having any financial interest in casinos and to prevent state gaming regulators from taking any role in political campaigns.
The changes -- in essence creating a code of ethics for state gaming officials -- amend a provision in the July 2004 slot machine legislation that allowed elected Pennsylvania officials to own up to 1 percent interest in a casino or a company doing business with one of the 14 casino operators coming to Pennsylvania.
That legislation drew public outcry because it opened doors to possible conflicts of interest.
Yesterday's legislation, which now goes to the House for action, addresses those concerns.
The changes would help "ensure public confidence in the integrity of our process," said state Sen. Vincent Fumo, D-Philadelphia, one of the chief authors of the legislation that legalized slot machine gambling in Pennsylvania.
"We created a completely new industry and a completely new agency from scratch," he said. "Our original law was already the strongest of any state that has legal gambling, but as the [state Gaming Control Board] has gone about its work, we have learned of additional measures we must take."
One provision would prevent elected officials, state employees or Gaming Control Board members from soliciting campaign contributions for themselves or for others.
If that had been in effect earlier this year, it would have precluded Gov. Ed Rendell from seeking contributions from casino operators and slots manufacturers for the Democratic National Committee during a trip to Las Vegas a few months ago.
Republicans raised concerns that those contributions might filter through the committee to the governor's campaign for re-election in 2006.
The bill's other major provisions would:
Prevent public officials, party officials who are top-level public employees and their families from accepting casino services or discounts that aren't available to the general public.
Give the attorney general oversight of gaming regulatory matters by establishing a gaming unit within his office.
Require the gaming board to adhere to state laws including those regarding ethics, procurement and open meetings.
Require board members to recuse themselves from votes when they have a conflict of interest.
Allow each board member to hire two assistants without approval of other members.
The casinos are expected to bring in about $1 billion a year in revenue to the state, which will get 34 percent of gross profits.
