DelPark Pays Lawmakers Before Casino Votes: Report

Delaware Park's action committee paid maximum allowed to lawmakers before key votes

More than half of the Delaware General Assembly received $600 each from the Delaware Park’s political action committee last year.

This monetary influence by the lobbyists of the state’s only three casinos is why proposals to increase the numbers of gambling establishments were defeated, say proponents of the expansion.

Thirty-two of the 52 legislators that filed reports last week received $600 in contributions, the maximum allowed by law, from Delaware Park, reports The News Journal. Two other legislators who had yet to file their reports also said they received money from the racino’s political action committee.

Though Delaware Park’s chief operating officer William Fasey said the donations have nothing to do with pending legislation, 16 of the 37 House members who filed campaign-finance reports received checks from the racino the month before a May 7 vote on sports betting and a tax hike for casinos, reports the News Journal.

Five senators who got money from Delaware Park received it after the vote. Fasey said the timing was a coincidence.

No lawmaker reported contributions from the other two casinos, Dover Downs or Harrington Raceway and Casino.

"I get a check from them every year," House Minority Leader Richard Cathcart, R-Middletown, said of the Delaware Park contribution. Cathcart brokered the deal that, with support of the casinos, legalized table games. He has also worked to allow sports betting. He has opposed proposals to authorize new casinos.

"I don't think there is any connection with the vote."

Sen. Karen Peterson, D-Stanton, didn't receive a donation from Delaware Park and though she said she couldn't speak to the motives behind the checks other lawmakers received, she favors expanding gambling to new locations.
 

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