The Pennsylvania House of Representatives will be back in session on June 6th with online gambling tentatively on the schedule to be reconsidered. In May, online gambling legislation was voted against in the House, despite needing options for income based on the current state budget crisis.
Representative John Payne’s online gambling measure was voted against 107 to 81 but will be reviewed again this month when the House reconvenes next Monday. The state has been looking at expanding their gambling industry with online gaming options as well as other methods of expansion to help the budget crisis.
Complications arose with online gambling being passed in the state due to the fact that video gaming terminals were also included in proposals. The inclusion of VGTs has resulted in confusion as well as opposition to passage of legislation. While some lawmakers are fine with online gambling, they do not want to see VGTs added to local clubs, bars, etc. Casinos in the state are okay with the gaming options being added to airports but not so much with other venues.
There are two gaming reform bills in the works, one by Representative John Payne and one by Representative Marc Mustio. Payne is pushing A7619, which would allow for online gambling a well as VGTs to be added to state airports and off-track betting parlors. Mustio’s measure, A7622 would allow the VGTs to be added to social clubs and taverns.
The problem is there is a split between who supports which proposal. Casinos have shown support for Payne’s proposal and it seems this is the one that has the best shot at being passed. The state still has a long way to go to see online gambling come to fruition so it will be interesting to see if any headway is made next week when the House is back in session.
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