Pennsylvania Slots License Hopefuls Donate Money to Key State Politicians
According to a recently published report, applicants seeking to obtain one of Pennsylvania's 14 slots-casino licenses have contributed over $1.1 million to state candidates and political action committees. Half of that total went to prominent politicians, some of whom, like governor Ed Rendell, have appointees on the state board in charge of issuing these licenses. The biggest sum was given to the governor, who received up to $175,160 in 2004 and 2005.
A law adopted in 2004 prohibits casino company officials and slots license hopefuls from making political contributions. However, this same law authorized non-gambling interests, such as developers and businessmen, to donate money before they start competing for a license to operate slot machines across the state. Since many of the slots applications were actually submitted as late as in December, 2005, companies had until the end of the year to legally donate to political causes, despite the fact that they had made clear their intentions to seek slots licenses.
However, Greg Fajt, PA Secretary of Revenue, reportedly explained that several of the most prominent donors who filed a slots application have been longtime contributors to Pennsylvania candidates, and that the funds that they have donated have nothing to do with the aforementioned licenses. Brian Ratner of Forest City Enterprises Inc., part of the Station Square Gaming group, which is vying for a license in Pittsburgh, said that the company's donation of $79,504 was made solely for ideological reasons.
