Pennsylvania’s House Gaming Oversight Committee is expected to vote Wednesday on whether or not to allow the state’s casinos to offer casino games on the Internet to people physically located within the state.
According to the Associated Press, Sen. Kim Ward’s bill (SB900) will be considered as a way to help fix a budget deficit that could be as bad as $2 billion. Ward introduced her measure earlier this year and had a hearing in June. A committee vote would happen before a full House vote.
It was said during the hearing that it would take 9-12 months before online gaming launches, after the state approved the activity. The Keystone State has 12 brick-and-mortar casinos that would be allowed to offer online gambling, whether in-house or through a technology partner.
Regulated online poker could be worth up to $129 million annually once it reaches maturation, and potentially more if Pennsylvania partners with Nevada, New Jersey or Delaware.
It was also determined that house-banked online casino games could reach $178 million annually under the same conditions. Those revenues would add roughly 10 percent to the state’s casino gambling market, worth around $3 billion annually. Gaming revenues have declined over the past two years, though. Pennsylvania is close to final approval of a new casino in Philadelphia.
Thanks to the rapid success of the daily fantasy sports industry and Nevada saying last week that the DFS companies need a license to allow access their websites within Silver State borders, Pennsylvania will also be considering a similar move, the report said.
Pennsylvania is now past the 110-day mark for its budget impasse. The House Gaming Oversight Committee will discuss Monday, Oct. 26, on allowing slots on airports.
