Sep. 20, 2017
HARRISBURG – Rep. Mark Mustio (R-Allegheny) issued the following statement in response to Tuesday’s Senate Law and Justice Committee hearing regarding legalizing Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) in Pennsylvania:
“Yesterday’s hearing perfectly underscores the need for keeping amnesty and legalizing the more than 13,500 illegal gaming machines in Pennsylvania licensed liquor establishments at the forefront of ongoing budget negations.
“Sen. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Allegheny/Washington), who joined me earlier this year in introducing companion legislation to legalize VGTs, made the most valid points. Regulating these machines, while increasing payouts to players and generating more than $100 million in state tax revenue, must be an important part of the final mix in balancing this year’s $32 billion state budget.
“The best part is any tax revenue raised from legalizing VGTs would come from individuals who do not currently frequent Pennsylvania’s licensed casinos, which in turn, will bolster the bottom lines of our clubs, restaurants, taverns and other small local businesses who have a liquor license. Sen. Reschenthaler is very intelligent, and I am glad that he is my senator.
“Amnesty is not a new program in Pennsylvania. Amnesty has been used before to collect back taxes to help fill budget holes. In the past, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Department of Revenue and former Governor Edward G. Rendell have all supported legalizing video gaming terminals.
Note: Please see attachment for more information on supportive organizations.
“Moving forward, fully legalizing VGTs would bring in a significant and consistent source of recurring revenue to help avoid future budget deficits and pay for education, pensions and mounting state police budgets—all without the need for a second natural gas extraction tax or broad-based sales or income tax increases.”
For the latest information legislative updates visit
RepMustio.com and
Facebook.com/RepMustio.
Representative Mark Mustio
44th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Ty McCauslin
717.772-9979
RepMustio.com /
Facebook.com/RepMustio