Pennsylvania Wants a Piece of Online Gambling Industry

Following the huge success with the launch of legalized online gambling in the state of New Jersey, neighboring Pennsylvania now wants a piece of the pie.

And why not?  After all, it is PA that is responsible for stealing away much of New Jersey’s brick and mortar gambling market.

Proponents of legalized Web gambling in the US were hoping for a domino effect and it appears that is about to happen.

"With New Jersey doing internet gaming, and I believe the main intent was to get customers back from Pennsylvania, we need to be a bit more aware of where we want to head with gaming," said Senator Joe Scarnati - (R) Senate Pro Tempore – in an interview with Harrisburg ABC affiliate WHTM. "And what we want to do is keep those customers."

Gambling is huge for Pennsylvania and the proof is in the pudding.  Nearly $14 billion has been generated by gamblers since 2006.  The state, with its 55% tax rate, has raked in nearly $8 billion.

"It feeds our coffers in the state," said Senator Kim Ward - (R) Westmoreland. "It indeed feeds our coffers so I think it's important that gambling is successful and healthy."

Reporter Dennis Owen of WHTM suggests that a projected $1.2 billion deficit in the state budget next year should encourage legislators to examine the potential for online gambling in the state.

"Currently it's an illegal activity that's taking place in the Commonwealth," Scarnati said. "Everybody knows it's taking place. Everybody knows how it takes place. So either we put our arms around this and figure out how to legalize this because, once again, it would be another revenue source. I'm certain somebody out of 253 members of the General Assembly are gonna put that proposal out there."

- Nagesh Rath, Gambling911.com