Egaming bill introduced in Pennsylvania

Online gambling in Pennsylvania moved a step closer on Monday with a bill that would legalise several forms of egaming introduced to the state’s legislature by its primary sponsor, Tina Davis.

HB 1235, which already has several co-sponsors, was referred to the House Committee on Gaming Oversight. It sets out plans to make any current slot machine licensee eligible for an online gambling licence which would cost US$5m upfront followed by a $500,000 renew fee every three years.

Under the terms of the bill, operators will be taxed at 28% of gross revenues, which will be distributed to good causes in the state. The bill also allows for Pennsylvania to form interstate and international compact agreements to allow for shared player liquidity.

Should the bill be passed into law, online poker will be legalised along with casino games such as roulette, baccarat, blackjack and craps. All online gambling activity would be overseen by the state’s Gaming Control Board.

Democrat Davis, who announced plans to introduce an updated gaming bill in March, had previously set the licence fee at $16.7m. Following negotiations with the state’s casinos, she said the bill would propose a $10m sum, with gross online gaming revenue taxed at 20%, both of which were amended before being introduced this week.

Davis has previously highlighted the importance of regulating online gambling in Pennsylvania, in order for the state to benefit from the increased tax revenues and job creation. Neighbouring states New Jersey and Delaware have both already legalised several forms of gaming, while fellow east coast state Massachusetts saw online poker language added to its budget bill last week.