Pennsylvania may not legalize its online gambling industry before the end of the year after it became clear that a gambling expansion bill would not be voted on this week as it had been expected. Sponsored by Rep. George Dunbar, the proposed legislation was part of a bigger revenue package aimed at financing a $31.5-billion budget spending bill, which became law earlier this week.
Rep. Dunbar’s proposal passed a House vote late last month. Apart from the legalization and subsequent regulation of online gambling, it also called for the addition of slot machines at Pennsylvania’s off-track betting parlors and six international airports, and for the legalization of daily fantasy sports. According to initial estimates, gambling expansion would bring more than $100 million in tax revenue to the state during the first year.
Local media reported late on Tuesday that the gambling expansion bill will likely be voted on this fall. When asked about the vote’s delay, Senate Appropriations Chairman Patrick Browne said that $100 million in tax revenue from gambling operations was not “needed right away” in the scope of the state’s $31.5-billion budget.
Although lawmakers are seemingly determined to cast their votes on potential gambling expansion this fall, the proposal, particularly the online gambling portion, was received relatively well. In fact, Parx Casino and Sands Bethlehem were the only two existing gambling entities within the state that voiced opposition to the legalization of additional gaming options.
Yet, even though Sands Bethlehem is owned by major casino operator Las Vegas Sands, which, in turn, is owned by billionaire businessman Sheldon Adelson, a staunch opponent of Internet gambling in the US, the legalization of online gambling was not the part of the proposed legislation to be the most severely contended by officials for the casino complex. Mark Juliano, President of Sands Bethlehem, has recently said that the addition of slots at off-track betting facilities was actually more dangerous for existing casinos than Internet gaming options.
Up until recently, it was believed that Pennsylvania would become the fourth US state to legalize online gambling and that it was absolutely possible for this to happen before the year’s end. However, state residents may have to wait a little longer before being able to play online casino games.
