In 2014, several states in the US are considering the possibility of creating online gambling legislation. As part of the consideration process, studies are conducted to determine if the option will work well for an individual state. A report was requested late last year by Pennsylvania lawmakers and was conducted by Econsult Solutions, with the details just released yesterday. Titled: The Current Condition and Future Viability of Casino Gaming in Pennsylvania, the report was presented to the Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee and the study showed a positive outcome for the state if they enter the iGaming market in the US.
According to a report by PokerNews, State Senator Kim Ward found the study to be ‘very intriguing’ for the prospect of licensing and regulation. Ward is the Chair of the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee and says that she is now in support of iGaming in the state after previously having a neutral stance.
After speaking with PokerNews, Ward stated that she believes there are three issues the state will have to discuss in accordance with the state budget. In a phone interview, Ward stated that Internet gaming, pensions and liquor will have to be discussed. Ward says that iGaming could now be a source income for the state and will probably be a ‘prominent’ item of discussion.
The study was conducted to determine revenues that could be earned from the option, how jobs would be impacted in the state as well as if the brick-and-mortar casinos would be affected. Each of these concerns were covered and found to be in a positive standing if iGaming legislation is created. The report estimated that the option would bring in around $184 million in revenues with $77 million created from poker, just in the first year. In years to come, the option was estimated to create $307 million.
The study even found that iGaming could increase the amount of revenues earned at land-based casinos. Because online gaming could bring in new gamblers, casinos would have the opportunity to attract new customers, essentially younger players and those with higher incomes who would be attracted to online gaming.
A bill for the option has yet to be proposed to the State Senate but there is currently a bill in the House. The House Democratic Policy Committee also held a hearing last week to discuss the impacts of online gaming.
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