Pennsylvania's Democratic Treasurer Has Concerns About Lottery Privatization

By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - Pennsylvania's Democratic treasurer is wading into the debate over Republican Governor Tom Corbett's initiative to privatize management of the state Lottery.

State Treasurer Rob McCord, a potential Democratic candidate for governor, says his office will not make payments to a private Lottery manager if he's not satisfied that the contract with the firm is legal. Pennsylvania Democratic Treasurer Has Concerns About Lottery Privatization

In particular, McCord is concerned that the privatization initiative includes the possibility of Keno, monitor-based games and Internet games being added to the Lottery's offerings, and perhaps being added without legislative approval.

"If we can't be assured about whether or not there's an expansion of gaming, and who can authorize such an expansion of gaming, I can't be assured that it's legal."

The treasurer, meanwhile, says there may also be legal concerns about the length of the contract under consideration. The Corbett administration is currently reviewing a proposal from a British firm that is pledging to generate more than $34 billion dollars in profits over 20 years.