VIE 29 DE MARZO DE 2024 - 10:25hs.
Due to summer break

Pennsylvania to delay online gaming legislation again

After the House and Senate originally passed the state of Pennsylvania’s gambling expansion bill in early July, lawmakers have now gone on summer break delaying the final outcome of the legislation until September.

Governor Tom Wolf was fully prepared to endorse the bill, that would legalise online poker and casino operations in the state, after it was discussed in the budget talks with hope that it could help deal with the current US$2 billion deficit the unpassed budget declares.

With licensing fees for online gambling operators set to cover US$200 million of the shortfall, the bill was set to be passed until earlier in August when the Republican side of the House failed to compromise on their disagreement with it.

This has left the gambling expansion bill unfinished as differences between the House and Senate’s versions of the bill, which offer different proposed tax rates and licensing fees, still stand.

Poker Players Alliance Executive Director, John Pappas, is holding out hope that the legislation changes could be agreed on before the end of August. "While there has been little to give us hope that a deal is imminent, most political observers agree that a budget funding package will get done this summer and that it will include igaming,” Pappas said.

However, turmoil around the bill remains prevalent as the House agreed they would not agree to a bill that doesn’t include video gaming terminals (VGTs), but the Senate ruled that it was not possible in this part of the legislation.

Fears that the agreements will get lost in the ether are strong but pro-online poker and gambling groups, such as PPA, will push for regulation after the summer break ends.

Source: GMB / Betting-business.co