Pennsylvania online gaming push gathers pace as new bill unveiled

Senate Bill Title 4, Amendments to Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, focuses on the licensing process behind slot machines in the state, but also includes literature regarding online gaming.

Players would be able to open an internet gambling account and partake in such gaming activities when physically present in the state.

The bill has gained support from a number of state Senators including Kim Ward, Robert Tomlinson, Elder Vogel and Joseph Scarnati.

“Existing Pennsylvania casinos that offer slot machine and table games would be eligible to offer Internet gaming to individual patrons that have registered and established an internet gaming account and are physically present in the Commonwealth of

Pennsylvania while playing online,” a senate co-sponsorship memoranda said, outlining details of the new bill.

“In addition, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs would be required to develop expanded compulsive and problem gambling programs specifically related to internet gaming.”

The news comes after Senator Sean Wiley also recently announced his intention to introduce an online gaming bill to the Senate.

Wiley’s bill, the full details of which are yet to be unveiled, would only legalize online poker in the state, no sooner than January 2017.