Proposals for the potential expansion of Pennsylvania’s gambling industry, including the legalization and regulation of online gaming options, were rejected by the state House on Tuesday.
Two amendments for the introduction of new gambling services and the considerable expansion of existing ones within the state’s borders were considered by legislators but neither gathered the necessary support.
The first proposed the addition of video game slot machines at bars, social clubs, taverns, and other public facilities. The other called for the addition of gaming machines at off-track betting venues and airport terminals. They both included provisions for the legalization and regulation of online gaming.
The potential expansion of the state’s gambling industry has been welcomed by a number of legislators as a means for helping Pennsylvania tackle a huge budget gap. Annually, the approximate amount of $3 billion is generated from gambling services and options provided within the state. Many have pointed to the fact that tax revenue from the expanded gambling industry would not be enough to cover the budget deficit but would indeed help Pennsylvania legislators cope with the problem.
Currently, there are 12 operating casinos in Pennsylvania. Some of them have welcomed the proposal for the introduction of online gambling in the state. Others, however, have voiced their opposition to the proposal. However, they have all united over the idea that the addition of slot machines would not be good for Pennsylvania’s gambling industry.
One of the biggest fears has been that the addition of more gaming devices in non-gambling locations would cannibalize the business and would have quite a lot of other negative effects on existing gambling venues, employees as well as host communities and the state as a whole.
Although online gambling has been an option considered for some time, it has always met staunch opposition, as well, due to concerns that it would allow people to gamble anywhere and anytime, thus increasing risks of problem gambling behavior.
Nevertheless, debates over the potential expansion of the state gambling industry and the legalization and regulation of Internet gaming are probably far from over and proposed legislations would most certainly be further considered by lawmakers in the weeks and months to come.
