Pennsylvania Online Gambling Won’t Happen for At Least Another Year

(G911 News Wire) - Should Pennsylvania legislators vote to allow online gambling in the state, actual play is not likely for at least another year.  This is what gaming official told a Senate panel on Wednesday.  The proposal calls for existing land-based casinos, for which there are around a dozen in the state, to license the online gambling sites. 

“We’re anticipating a range of between nine and 12 months to actually begin the play on the Internet if it’s authorized by the General Assembly,” said Kevin O’Toole, executive director of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. “But an awful lot of things have to occur to get to that point.”

O’Toole also acknowledged that it has thus far been an uphill battle for neighboring state New Jersey to lure residents away from offshore betting sites.  New Jersey is one of only three states (the others being Nevada and Delaware) that have offered legalized online gambling. 

“It’s a gradual process,” he said. “Expectations should not be too high at the roll-out, but you can have a reasonable expectation that it will improve over time.” – Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com