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Pennsylvania lawmakers on Wednesday introduced Bill 1386 in the Senate. The bill, drafted by State Sen. Edwin Erickson, would legalize online gambling in the Keystone State.
A newer version of the legislation co-sponsored by Republican Bob Mensch allows for an expanded number of casino games whereas Erickson’s bill focused almost exclusively on poker. Mensch also wants to charge a $5 million licensing fee along with a 14% tax on gross gaming revenues.
The language contained in the updated measure would also prevent companies that had previously operated in the US in violation of federal law from obtaining a gaming license in Pennsylvania. This would presumably include the world’s largest Internet poker room, PokerStars.
The recent announced acquisition of Stars by Canadian online gambling firm Amaya will not provide for an entry strategy either based on the new language.
Operators with a “presumption of unsuitability” extends to those companies which:
“Purchased or acquired, directly or indirectly, in whole or in significant part, a third party described in paragraph (1) or will use that third party or a covered asset in connection with interactive gaming.”
Now enter casino magnate Sheldon Adelson to help wreak havoc on the state legislative process.
As chairman of Pennsylvania’s largest casino property, the Bethlehem Sands, Adelson is deadest on preventing the legalization of Web gambling in the US.
He’s also one of the biggest donors to the GOP and this week it was revealed Adelson donated a tantalizing $1 million to the Republican Governors Association.
Lobbyists hired by the Sands chairman helped in drafting federal legislation that would seek to prohibit all forms of online gambling including at the state level.
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
