Pennsylvania Online Gambling Measure Draft Text Released
A proposed measure to legalize online gambling in the state of Pennsylvania has been referred to the Pennsylvania’s Gaming Oversight Committee.
House Bill 1235 includes language that would allow already existing casino operators in the state to have first dibs, and quite possibly exclusivity, on licensing.
Online poker and other non-house-banked games are specifically included in the measure, along with dozens of traditional table games, including poker-themed, house-banked variations offered in many live venues. All would be regulated in online versions should this measure become law, with approval and testing required for each.
Pennsylvania would receive 28% of the gross revenues generated from online gambling, with online poker revenue defined to come from the rake and tournament fees, not players’ winnings.
Another revision in the full version of HB 1235 is the lowering of the proposed initial application/licensing fee from $16.7 million to $5 million, with a $500,000 renewal fee due every three years.
- Ace King, Gambling911.com
