Legalize video terminals in Pennsylvania

Gov. Tom Wolf and legislators are desperately scrambling to find substantial recurring revenue to close out the 2017-2018 state budget. This is no easy feat. The budget is set at $32 billion, and $700 million more is needed to make ends meet.

While trying to fill this huge void, our governor and some members of the General Assembly have overlooked arguably the most common-sense option, which could generate up to $400 million annually. I’m talking about legalizing Video Gaming Terminals in liquor-licensed locations.

Let’s be clear. This is not, as the big casinos claim, about placing “mini-casinos” on every corner. Our proposal would give local businesses and fraternal organizations the chance to place five or fewer video terminals in their locations to attract patrons and gain a new stream of revenue at a time when it is desperately needed — for them as well as the commonwealth and local governments.

Keep in mind: Thousands of illegal video terminals in thousands of places are operating in Pennsylvania, right now. And they are being operated with no regulation, no oversight and no tax revenue accruing to local and state governments. It is morally and fiscally irresponsible for our legislators not to regulate this industry. Because regulation would deliver revenue to localities in all 67 counties and provide substantial funding to combat problem gaming, you must wonder what political motives are at play here.

Why would our governor and some legislators coldly turn their backs on the hardworking small business owners who have elected them to office? Consider the million-dollar ad campaigns being run by Las Vegas casinos. Casinos don’t want to share an inch of the playing field with small businesses and are lobbying hard to silence them.

Don’t let them silence you!

Every single owner of a liquor-licensed location in Pennsylvania and every hardworking taxpayer should make his or her voice heard. Pick up the phone.

Call your representatives and the governor and tell them to stop choosing casinos over local businesses. Tell them to prioritize the needs of Pennsylvania — not Las Vegas!