Pennsylvania Rep. sets out egaming plans
Representative Tina Davis' proposals would see Gaming Control Board regulate licensing, operation of, and participation in internet gaming.
Pennsylvania is set to join Iowa, Massachusetts and Mississippi in introducing an online gambling bill this year after state Representative Tina Davis filed a memo setting out plans to regulate the industry.
Davis confirmed that the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board would regulate requirements for the licensing, operation of, and responsible participation in internet gaming “to ensure that this form of gaming is within the regulatory framework we have fought to establish” in the state.
The memo submitted on 25 January also confirmed the license application fee which would be set at US$16.7m, and said the GCB would establish a “reasonable” tax rate that takes into account overhead and cost of operation for the casinos.
The proceeds from internet gaming would be split between the Property Tax Relief Fund and the State Lottery Fund, she said.
Davis wrote in the memo: “Soon I plan to introduce legislation amending Pennsylvania’s Gaming Act to establish guidelines and regulations for internet gaming in Pennsylvania.
“Considering the nationwide efforts to legalise internet gaming, it is imperative that we maintain the integrity of our gaming industry amid inevitable federal preemption and competing states, as well as possible expansion of internet games through the privatisation of our own State Lottery.
“A responsible internet gaming system must be created in order to protect Pennsylvanians and the success of the established gaming industry in the Commonwealth, which has generated more than $7bn in state tax revenue, and created more than 16,000 jobs statewide.”
The Pennsylvania lottery is currently in the process of being privatised, with UK National Lottery operator Camelot’s bid for the 20-year management contract given the green light by Governor Tom Corbett last week. Corbett explained yesterday that privatisation will generate an additional US$50m for the state’s upcoming budget through lottery operations which will also include an internet offering.
Since then however, five Pennsylvania senators have written to Corbett calling for the state lottery to be prohibited from hosting online gambling games.