Pennsylvania democrats to discuss legalised online gambling

The House Democratic Policy Committee in the Pennsylvania Legislature is to hold a hearing on May 1st on the impact of intrastate online gambling following requests submitted by State Reps. Rosita Youngblood (chairwoman of the House Gaming Oversight Committee) and Tina Davis, a pro-online gambling legalisation supporter who will serve as co-chairwoman.

The House Democratic Caucus serves as a catalyst for the enactment of major policy initiatives presented by members of Democratic caucus.

The timing of the hearing is interesting, coming just a week prior to the report and recommendations of a Pennsylvania Senate commissioned review that is intended to inform lawmakers on the pros and cons of online gambling legalisation and how it might best be implemented (see previous reports).

The House Democratic Policy Committee hearing will listen to a wide range of views from experts that include:

Kevin O’Toole, executive director, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
Ewa Bakun, head of content-gaming, Clarion Events
Patty Aftab, a lawyer, founder and executive director, Wired Safety
Keith Whyte, executive director, National Council on Problem Gambling
Jim Pappas, executive director, Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania
Peter Murray, head of gaming and consumer services, GB Group
Doug Lewin, executive vice president for strategic partnerships and development, Optimal Payments
Anna Sainsbury, founder and CEO, GeoComply
David Satz, senior vice president of government relations and development, Caesars Entertainment Corp.
Bob Green, chairman, Parx Casino and Racing
John Pappas, executive director, Poker Players Alliance

The full agenda is posted here: http://www.pahouse.com/PAHouseNews.asp?doc=36570