Wednesday, March 26, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
Coalition members met Tuesday at the Capitol to map strategy, share ideas and renew their pledge to fight riverboat gambling, video poker, slot machines and other forms of gaming.
"I think we're stronger now than we were a year ago," said Rep. Paul Clymer, the Bucks County Republican who hosted the meeting. "Gambling casinos are having a more difficult time selling their operations."
Represented at the meeting were the Pennsylvania Council of Churches, Common Cause, the Sierra Club, Pennsylvanians Against Gambling Expansion, and a new ally: the Eastern Lenape Nation, an American Indian tribe with several hundred Pennsylvania members.
Chuck Gentlemoon of Monroe County, the tribe's record keeper, acknowledged that he and other members of his tribe are outside the American Indian mainstream on the gambling question. Indian gaming has grown to a $6 billion-a-year industry in 23 states.
"We believe in the old ways," he said. "And part of that doesn't involve greed."
Two measures pending in the Senate - one to allow up to 3,000 slot machines at Pennsylvania's four racetracks; another to allow video poker and other electronic games in bars and taverns with liquor licenses - have uncertain prospects, according to David Atkinson, spokesman for Senate President Pro Tem Robert Jubelirer, R-Blair.
"There is a very strong and well-organized coalition that has objections to any expansion of gambling in Pennsylvania," he said. "But things change. Who knows?"
Gov. Tom Ridge will not sign into law any gambling measure that does not require voter approval, said his spokesman, Tim Reeves.
Sen. Robert Tomlinson, the Bucks County Republican who sponsored the slot machine measure, said Pennsylvania's racetracks are losing customers to West Virginia and Delaware, which allow slots at their tracks.
"Senator Tomlinson feels this is an economic development issue, not only for our district," said Philip Dunn, his executive assistant, "but also to the horse racing industry."
Under a gambling measure in the House, voters would directly voice their views on riverboat gambling, slot machines at racetracks and video poker in bars. The measure calls for a nonbinding referendum in a primary election so voters can say whether they approve of measures to expand gambling.
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