KITCHEN GAMING AMENDMENT FURTHER SAFEGUARDS PLAYER CREDIT

            HARRISBURG, December 15 — State Sen. Shirley Kitchen will offer an amendment to table games legislation in order to establish stricter standards on players’ access to lines of credit at the state’s casinos.

            The amendment would require the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to establish minimum standards relating to the extension of credit lines based on an individual’s financial fitness. They would take into account the following factors:

• annual income

• debt-to-income ratio

• prior credit history

• average monthly bank balance

• level of play

            The House of Representatives removed provisions in the legislation (Senate Bill 711) that would have allowed players to get cash advances from their credit cards at ATMs at the casino.

            “I’m pleased that the House took a solid step toward protecting consumers from potential credit disaster, and I support their efforts,” Kitchen said. “This amendment puts further protections in place to ensure that consumers are treated fairly.”

            “Casual players could easily be lured into spending their money very quickly and are more prone to making irrational financial decisions,” Kitchen added. “This amendment will protect all casino patrons.”

            The House is expected to vote on the table games legislation this evening.

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