The ability of Pennsylvania’s gambling regulators to conduct background checks into licence applicants has been questioned by a House Republican Policy Committee. A bill to transfer the authority to carry out the checks to the state Attorney General is being considered by lawmakers, but the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s Investigations & Enforcement Bureau (BIE) has defended its ability to perform enquiries effectively.

The controversy has been fuelled by alleged connections with organised crime of Mount Airy owner Louis DeNaples. Mount Airy Casino in the Poconos is scheduled to open on 15 October and some lawmakers think that the inability of state police to share ‘protected information’ means that the BIE cannot have access to all relevant information. Last November the BIE was granted status as a criminal justice agency but under state and federal law the state police can only share protected information with those who have criminal enforcement or arrest powers.

It has been suggested that either state police are given sole authority to conduct background checks or for the BIE to be transferred to the Attorney General’s Office. Previously there have been problems over the slow progress of police conducted background checks. In addition to suitability of casino entity applicant investigations, BIE also conducts suitability investigations for manufacturers, suppliers, casino employees, vendors and other businesses interested in conducting business within the Pennsylvania gaming industry. (E-10.02.07)

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