Gaming Board Politician's Wins Queried

Published: Monday, December 18, 2006 Online-Casinos.com

GAMING BOARD POLITICIAN'S GAMBLING WINS QUESTIONED

Former Republican state politician opposed gambling but won thousands, claim media reports

Associated Press reported over the weekend on the furore over a recently appointed member of the Pennsylvania gaming board who was a longtime critic of gambling when he was a legislator, but won thousands of dollars at casinos.

Former state Rep. Mark McNaughton voted against the state's slot machine law in 2004 and opposed gambling for years before that, but at the same time he won $15 500 from 2003 to 2005, according to tax returns obtained by The Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper.

The five-term Republican from Harrisburg disclosed his winnings on his federal income taxes but not on state ethics forms, the newspaper reported.

McNaughton said he didn't report his gambling winnings on the ethics disclosure statement for lawmakers because he didn't believe it was required. However, the State Ethics Commission says it considers such winnings income, which legislators must note on annual disclosure forms if it exceeds $1 300.

He said Friday that he was only acting on the wishes of his constituents when he opposed efforts to expand gambling in Pennsylvania.

"Gambling should not be everywhere. It should be a destination-oriented activity where you go there and enjoy the day or two and return,'' he said. "I don't believe it's in the best interests of citizens to be able to walk across the street and play slots.''

He is due to take his $145 000-a-year, appointed position on the gaming board by the middle of next month.

Ethics rules only bar board members from gambling or taking compensation from a licensee or an applicant in Pennsylvania, according to spokesman Doug Harbach.

McNaughton said most of his winnings came from playing slot machines in Las Vegas and stud poker in Atlantic City, N.J.