Lehigh Valley lawmaker rolls the dice in gambling expansion vote – Allentown Morning Call

The Lehigh Valleys only lawmaker thus far supporting a House bill to add up to 40,000 video slot machines in the state happens to be an avid gambler herself.

Rep. Marcia Hahn, R-Northampton, has claimed earnings from casinos five out of six years she has filed Statement of Financial Interest forms with the state Ethics Commission.

Hahn was first elected in 2010. Her first filing was the following year.

Mt. Airy Casino and Sands Casino are her establishments of choice, according to financial forms filed between 2011 and 2016. Legislators arent required to list the amount of income, but are required to disclose where any outside income came from.Below are the details listed on those forms:

The slot machines and raffles havent quite paid off for Hahn, despite the income claimed.

Id probably say I lose more than I win, she said in a phone interview.

The House bill, approved 102-89 on Wednesday night, would legalize video betting machines in bars, nursing homes, VFWs, volunteer fire halls, restaurants, bowling alleys, truck stops, hotels and other places licensed to sell alcohol. The machines, known as video gaming terminals, or VGTS, are strongly opposed by all but one of the states casinons and a majority of the Senate.

The House added the VGT piece to a Senate plans that would legalize fantasy sports, internet betting and let the Pennsylvania Lottery sell tickets online.

The bill is now in the Senate, where Hahan may find company. Sen. Lisa boscola, D-Northampton, is a VGT supporter.

If the bill dies in the Senate, it could leave a $150 million hole in next years budget. Thats how much Gov. Tom Wolfs administration has earmarked in estimated tax revenue from expanded gambling in the fiscal year that starts July 1.

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Lehigh Valley lawmaker rolls the dice in gambling expansion vote - Allentown Morning Call