Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB1010

Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/25/24
• Refer: 3/25/24
• Refer: 5/8/24
• Report Pass: 6/24/24
• Engrossed: 6/25/24
• Refer: 6/26/24
• Refer: 6/27/24
• Report Pass: 7/9/24
• Enrolled: 7/10/24
• Chaptered: 7/10/24
• Passed: 7/10/24

Caption

Making appropriations from the restricted revenue accounts within the State Gaming Fund and from the restricted revenue accounts within the Fantasy Contest Fund and Video Gaming Fund to the Attorney General, the Department of Revenue, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.

Impact

If enacted, SB 1010 will significantly support the operational funding of state agencies involved in gaming regulation and revenue collection in Pennsylvania. The total appropriated amounts include over $52 million for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board alone, with significant allocations for the Attorney General's office and the Department of Revenue, which indicates a robust commitment to regulatory oversight and enforcement in the gaming sector.

Summary

Senate Bill 1010, known as the Gaming Control Appropriation Act of 2024, proposes appropriations from various restricted revenue accounts within the State Gaming Fund, Fantasy Contest Fund, and Video Gaming Fund. The bill is designed to allocate necessary funds to several key state agencies including the Attorney General, the Department of Revenue, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024. It also includes provisions for the payment of outstanding bills from the previous fiscal year.

Sentiment

The general sentiment regarding SB 1010 appears to be positive, indicating bipartisan support for the funding of essential services linked to gaming regulation. Given the bill's aim to provide financial resources to authorities that oversee both legal gaming operations and law enforcement aspects, there is an acknowledgement of the importance of maintaining stringent governance in the gaming industry. However, some discussions, though not intensely polarized, could arise concerning the effectiveness of these appropriations in achieving the intended regulatory outcomes.

Contention

While the bill is largely straightforward in its objective of appropriating funds, potential points of contention could involve debates over the specific amounts allocated to each agency and the accountability measures attached to these expenditures. As with any governmental appropriation bill, stakeholders may question whether the financial resources will be sufficient to meet the growing demands of regulating various forms of gaming and whether thorough oversight mechanisms are in place to ensure taxpayer funds are used effectively.