Two senators in Pennsylvania are working to see gambling expanded in the state, hopefully adding online poker and casino gaming as well as resolving legal problems involving the host community tax that casinos pay. Senator Kim Ward and Senator Jay Costa both plan on introducing versions of bills to help the gambling industry of the state.
Several aspects will be covered in the bills including allowing the state to offer online gambling for anyone located physically within its borders. This would help the state join others who offer iGaming, including Delaware, New Jersey and Nevada. Daily fantasy sports betting regulations are included along with allowing gambling options at the airports as well as non-casino sites.
The bills will determine the method that will be used to continue the local share assessment that most casinos pay to the host community in which they are located. Back in September, the state Supreme Court had ruled that the existing fee of $10 million or 2% of the gross revenues of slot gaming went against the constitution as it treated casinos unequally.
On the 23rd, the House and Senate will be back in session. Senator Mario Scavello is confident that a comprehensive bill will be approved soon. Scavello is the Chairman of the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee who stated that sometime in March, something will be done and passed by the Senate and House. According to Scavello, it appears that online gaming has enough support to pass and the lawmakers can look into other expansions.
The House has already proven to be accepting of gambling expansions as a bills were passed last year in the hopes of moving forward. However, the Senate did not take any action when they had the ability to. So it seems the Senate will have to show support if the state is going to see an expansion, especially to offer online gaming in the state.
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