Pa. casino group: Activity wasn’t lobbying

HARRISBURG - A casino trade association is rebutting a state lawmaker's suggestion that someone from the group should have registered under the state's lobbying disclosure law.

A Pennsylvania Casino Association official wrote in a response letter that its activities didn't meet the state's legal definition of lobbying.

The association sent e-mails to legislators and aired a radio ad.

Dante Santoni, chairman of the House Gaming Oversight Committee, sent a letter last month citing the group's activities surrounding a bill to expand casino gambling.

Santoni says he hasn't decided whether to hold a hearing on the matter.

The Pittsburgh-based casino association is chaired by former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Stephen Zappala.