Opponent of Slot Machines Plays Them

State Rep. Mark McNaughton has always been a steadfast opponent of the slot machines. In 2004 he voted against the legalization of slot machines in the state of Pennsylvania. He says it was because his constituents wanted him to, but that he is still opposed to bringing the slot machines into PA. However, due to his divorce, his IRS tax forms have been released and they show trips to Atlantic City and slot machine and gambling winnings.

McNaughton says that slot machines are not illegal, and therefore he has the right to play them. He also says that he still believes that they should not have come to PA – that they are a danger and it should take some effort to get to them to play the slot machines. However, the problem lies in the fact that McNaughton did not report his slot machine and gambling winnings on his ethics forms, and he is up for a position on the Gaming Control Board.

He has said that his winnings came from the slot machines at the Flamingo in Las Vegas and playing Caribbean stud poker at the Borgata in Atlantic City. Other representatives are concerned with his stance on gambling – being that he was pro-slot machines as long as it was him playing them, and against slot machines for everyone else.

Those that were against the slot machines as well are concerned that he was not truthful with them. Rep. Pal Clymer said, "He's sending a message that you can be inconsistent on the [slot machine] issue. We thought he was firmly in our camp, and this shows that he was stepping over the sideline and playing with the other group."

They say that McNaughton always voted against the slot machines throughout his tenure, all up to the last vote. The very last vote before he left office he voted yes to allowing the casinos to serve free alcohol to the slot machine players, and now they say that vote makes sense.

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