Lawmaker Urges Action On Casino Location Bill

By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - A key state lawmaker is calling on the legislature to act on a bill to open up Philadelphia's second casino license to statewide competition before the state Supreme Court rules on the status of the license. The future of the license became an issue as state budget hearings continued last week.

The state Supreme Court is still deciding whether it will consider the appeal by Foxwoods investors of a lower court decision upholding the revocation of their license. Chester County Republican Curt Schroder, chairman of the House Gaming Oversight Committee, is urging lawmakers to act now.

"I do believe we should not wait until the Supreme Court rules. That we should be ready with the legislation locked into place and signed into law."

He's calling on House leaders to vote on his bill that would open up the Foxwoods license to competition statewide.

"I'm certainly urging our leaders to bring it up so that the legislature can make a decision on that Foxwoods license when the Supreme Court, you know, finally does rule."

If the state high court decides to hear the appeal of the Foxwoods license revocation, the outcome will be months or years off. But if the Supreme Court decides not to hear the appeal, state law as it is now dictates that a new license be awarded for a Philadelphia location, although the chairman of the gaming board says in that situation, the board would wait to see if the legislature intends to change the law.