Privatizing lottery not a winning proposition, Pa. Dems say

The state’s auditor general-elect has joined Democratic colleagues in protesting Gov. Tom Corbett’s effort to put a private company in charge of the Pennsylvania Lottery.

 

Eugene DePasquale says he won’t make a habit of speaking out about issues before he’s sworn in next month as auditor general.

But he says he felt compelled to raise his concerns since the deadline is fast approaching for the state to close a deal to privatize the state lottery.

“We should be able to take the time to make sure it’s a good deal for everyone, not just one company,” he said.

“Elizabeth Brassell, spokeswoman for the Department of Revenue, says Dec. 31 is the expiration date for the bid announced in mid-November by U.K.-based Camelot Global Services PA.

“So that’s why we anticipate a decision will be made sometime this month,” she said.

While both Camelot and the commonwealth could agree to extend the bid, Brassell isn’t saying whether that’s likely.

State Democratic lawmakers cried foul when the Corbett administration announced it was taking bids on the lottery after the effective end of the legislative session.

They say the privatization proposal should be vetted in public hearings.