HARRISBURG — A state lawmaker is questioning why a casino industry association in Pennsylvania that is headed by a former state Supreme Court chief justice is not registered as a lobbying group, despite its apparent attempts to influence debate on gambling legislation.

House Gaming Oversight Committee Chairman Dante Santoni Jr. wrote this week to former Justice Stephen A. Zappala to ask why no one from the Pennsylvania Casino Association is a registered lobbyist and to request specific information about the association, its members and activities.

Zappala told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he believes the association has acted appropriately.

He said Santoni's letter will be responded to fully by the association.

"I feel very comfortable that we have not violated any laws," he said.

Santoni cited public statements, letters and radio advertisements issued by the association advocating a specific position on legislation, such as the legalization of table games at the state's slot-machine casinos.

"In light of these and other facts, I am puzzled by the statements by officers of the association that the association is not lobbying and does not need to comply with the requirements of Act 71, the state's lobbying disclosure law," Santoni wrote.

In an interview Wednesday, Santoni said that he and other legislators want more information and he may schedule a public hearing on the matter.

"I just basically think that if they're going to be lobbying ... then they have to play by the same rules that everyone else has to play by," Santoni said.

More than 1,000 people and organizations are registered with the Pennsylvania Department of State as lobbyists.

The existence of the association, which is based in Pittsburgh, was not widely known until earlier this fall when it began weighing in publicly on legislation before the state Legislature.

Zappala, 77, served on the Supreme Court for 20 years through 2002, the last as its chief justice.

He retired when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Wednesday, he said he is the association's paid chairman, although he is not listed as an employee or officer on the group's 2008 tax filing.