Pennsylvania egaming regulation makes fresh progress
Online poker and casino legislation moves onto the House for a full vote
Lawmakers in Pennsylvania have taken an historic step towards a regulated egaming industry after voting unanimously in favor of a bill seeking to legalize online poker and casino.
HB 649, introduced by Rep. John Payne back in February, passed through the House Gaming Oversight Committee this afternoon with a majority 18-8 vote.
The bill still faces several hurdles before being passed into law, but this is the first time Pennsylvania politicians have voted online gaming legislation out of Committee and onto the House floor.
Head of the Poker Players Alliance John Pappas applauded the Committee for passing the bill but said the bill “now needs to become law”.
“New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware are already successfully providing their residents with a safe and regulated online gaming market [â¦] and now it’s Pennsylvania’s turn,” he said.
“HB 649 is a win-win opportunity that Pennsylvania’s lawmakers cannot afford to miss,” Pappas added.
The bill will now be put to a vote in the full House, then onto the Senate before landing on Governor Wolf’s desk to be signed into law – where it could still be vetoed.
The Pennsylvanian online poker and casino market is estimated to be worth around US$300m a year in GGR, significantly more than the $123m made in New Jersey during 2014, making it one of the most lucrative US markets yet to open up.
There is still a chance the bill could be included as a revenue generating measure in the state’s budget, which has yet to be signed off while lawmakers do battle over how best to fill its multi-billion dollar shortfall.
Duane Morris attorney Eric Frank said if the bill is wrapped up in the budget there is “no way” Governor Wolf could veto it, but as a standalone bill he could.
“At the end of the day though, if it gets through both houses I think the Governor would sign because it would be viewed as a revenue enhancer and job creation bill,” he added.