State police support legalizing video lottery machines
BY Robert Swift (HARRISBURG BUREAU CHIEF)
Published: May 22, 2009
HARRISBURG – The Rendell administration’s proposal to legalize video lottery terminals in bars, restaurants and social clubs would mean fewer headaches for law enforcement, the state police commissioner told House lawmakers Thursday.
Col. Frank E. Pawlowski said the legislation would allow state and local police to more effectively regulate illegal gambling by creating a clear distinction between legal video lottery terminals and other gambling devices that would be declared illegal. It would provide tougher penalties, such as stiff fines and liquor-license suspensions for possession of illegal devices.
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“Video gaming and poker vendors are not high on anybody’s priority list unless there is a certain personality there – that link to organized crime,”Col. Pawlowski said. “That gets their attention.”
He called current gambling laws ineffective because violators face light fines, in the range of $400 to $500.
Under the legislation, fines for having an illegal gambling device would range from $1,000 to $5,000 for a first offense and $15,000 for subsequent offenses. A violator’s liquor license would be suspended for one week for a first offense and two weeks for subsequent offenses.
“No business wants to give up their liquor license,” Col. Pawlowski said. “That is gold to them.”
Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com
