British Firm Extends Its Bid to Manage PA Lotto

Gov. Tom Corbett's chance to accept a bid from a British firm to manage the Pennyslvania lottery was about to run out. Had it not extended its offer, the firm's $3.5-billion bid would have expired Saturday at 5 p.m.

According to 6ABC, a "top budget aide to Gov. Tom Corbett" has announced the extension. The extra time is designed to allow Corbett's office more time to consider options.

The changes come on the heels of last week's announcement by Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane who rejected Corbett' initial plan.

"It is our duty to defend and protect the Constitution of our Commonwealth and that is what our office has done by declining this contract," Kane said on Friday. 

"She said the contract infringes on the Legislature's power to make policy decisions regarding the Lottery, provides for keno games which aren't authorized under the lottery act and usurps authority of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board," said the website, StandardSpeaker.com.

The deal is now back on the table, according to ABC, who said the British firm known as "Camelot," will now wait through Feb. 22 for a response.

"Executive Deputy Budget Secretary Peter Tartline says the bid from Camelot Global Services that was scheduled to expire Saturday has been extended through Friday [Feb. 22]," said 6ABC's website.

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette said the extension allows time for Corbett to determine a "Plan B."

"The extension would preserve the validity of their bid and allow some time for the commonwealth and for Camelot to assess the situation and determine what next steps would be appropriate," Department of Revenue spokeswoman Elizabeth Brassell said to the Gazette last week.

NBC10 reports that the state will have until Friday, Feb. 22 to consider those options.

The time will be used for "the administration [to mull] over how it will respond to the state attorney general rejecting the deal," said NBC.

According to the Gazette, one option would be an appeal.

"A determination by the attorney general can be appealed to the Commonwealth Court," said its article.