A new bill would authorize a minimum of 12 special purpose lotteries in Pennsylvania "for the purpose of providing a source of funds for the repayment of indebtedness on bonds issued for the development of mass transit as economic development projects" in the Commonwealth.

Under HB 799, introduced yesterday and referred to the Pennsylvania House Gaming Oversight Committee, the funds from the special lotteries would be placed in a special fund known as the Economic Development Fund for Mass Transit. The special lotteries would be earmarked for specific projects and advertising and tickets associated with each special lottery would identify which project that lottery benefits.

This is not the first time this bill has been introduced...or the second. The bill's sponsor, Representative Harry Readshaw, is making his third attempt with the bill. In each of the previous two sessions, Representative Readshaw's special lottery bill has died in committee. Could budget woes make this third time a charm? We'll keep you updated here if this bill moves. Stay tuned.

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