HARRISBURG – Senators Scott Martin (R-13) and Ryan Aument (R-36) will introduce legislation to give each municipality in Pennsylvania the option whether to allow video gaming terminals (VGTs) at truck stops within its borders.
Act 42 of 2017 allowed the state to establish up to 10 satellite casinos, while giving each municipality the power to opt-out of allowing a gambling venue to be built there. More than 1,000 municipalities across the Commonwealth adopted resolutions to opt-out.
The law also allowed for the placement of a limited number of VGTs in many truck stops in communities across the state. An opt-out provision was included for counties that already hosted a casino, but municipalities were not given the option.
Martin and Aument announced plans today to introduce a bill that would give all municipalities throughout Pennsylvania the option to decline VGTs at truck stops by passing a simple resolution to that effect.
“Each individual city, township and borough should be able to make the final decision whether gambling should be permitted,” Aument said. “In Lancaster County last year, every single municipality made their position on gambling known by passing resolutions prohibiting a mini-casino from being located in our area. I believe that most or all of our local municipalities would opt-out of VGTs as well if they are given that option.”
“The decision whether or not to allow gambling in a municipality should be made locally, not mandated by lawmakers in Harrisburg,” Martin said. “The availability of gambling is something that can affect the culture and the character of a community. Members of that community should have the power to make that decision for themselves.”
CONTACT: Terry Trego (717) 787-6535 (Senator Martin)
Ryan Boop (717) 787-4420 (Senator Aument)