Pennsylvania internet sweepstakes ban, Randy Vulakovich, R-Shaler, KDKA, CBS, government taxation of gambling dollars, FBI, Pennsylvania state police, legalized corporate owned casinos, unwelcome competition, mafia, illegal poker ring, keystone state
HARRISBURG, PA -- Pennsylvania's Legislature voted unanimously on Oct. 24 to ban Internet-enabled sweepstakes videogames. The bill was sponsored by state Rep. Randy Vulakovich (R-Shaler).
Vulakovich told CBS affiliate station KDKA that his motive was to nip the sector in the bud before Pennsylvania finds itself with a billion-dollar electronic sweepstakes industry. KDKA's report also showed a casino operator who complained that the games are unregulated and untaxed gambling -- and an unwelcome form of competition. The bill now moves to the state Senate.
The FBI and Pennsylvania state police have been investigating gray-area games for a decade, but enforcement efforts have stepped up markedly since the state legalized casinos a few years ago.
A May 23 indictment against 10 mob bosses who allegedly ran a massive illegal video poker ring across the Keystone State grew out of investigations dating back at least to 2001. | SEE STORY
