PRESS RELEASE
HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today named Stephen M. DeFrank, a veteran staffer in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, as its first legislative liaison.
“Part of our job is keeping open lines of communications between the Board and the Legislature, and Steve’s long-time service on Capitol Hill will facilitate that kind of dialogue,” said Tad Decker, Chairman of the Board. “He will be a tremendous addition to our staff.”
DeFrank has been chief of staff to state Sen. Richard A. Kasunic since 2001 after serving as an executive assistant to the Senator beginning in 1994. He previously worked as a research analyst for Senator J. William Lincoln.
DeFrank earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with a concentration in public policy from California University of Pennsylvania.
About the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is tasked to oversee all aspects of gambling involving 17 land-based casinos, online casino games, retail and online sports wagering, and Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) at qualified truck stops, along with the regulation of online fantasy sports contests.
The land-based casino industry in Pennsylvania consists of six racetrack (Category 1) casinos, five stand-alone (Category 2) casinos, two resort (Category 3) casinos and four mini-casinos (Category 4). A significant job generator in the Commonwealth, casinos and the other types of Board-regulated gaming generated $2.8 billion in tax revenue and fees in 2024/25.
Additional information about both the PGCB’s gaming regulatory efforts and Pennsylvania’s gaming industry can be found at gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov.