PA Senate approves expanding gambling to bars

Photo by Jamie Adams

(Harrisburg) -- State lawmakers are sending Governor Corbett a bill that could introduce gambling contests called small games of chance into thousands of bars and bring millions into the state treasury. 

The Republican-controlled Senate has voted 34-15 without debate to send the bill to Corbett, who is expected to sign it.

It narrowly won House passage last week.

The measure would represent Pennsylvania's largest expansion of gambling since 2010, when table games were legalized in slot-machine casinos.

Bar owners have sought legalized gambling for three decades after private organizations like veterans clubs that also serve liquor were allowed to raise money through the games.

Top lawmakers threw their support behind it this year in a search for additional revenue for a state government budget that could be badly out of balance next year.