Pennsylvania Analyzes Possibility to Legalize Online Gambling

Pennsylvania regulators are starting to think about legalizing the online gaming and betting industry. Earlier this week, a state Senate committee passed a resolution in which the possibility of internet gaming legalization in the state will be analyzed. The resolution refers to the fact that regulators should weigh the pros and cons of regulating such gambling operations in the state and allowing operators to open turnkey casinos. This decision was taken after lawmakers were starting to see the results of the first week of online gambling in neighboring New Jersey. Gaming insiders said that this is an attempt from Pennsylvania to keep up with the competition from American states that already legalized this industry.

Representative Tina Davis already brought forward and internet gaming bill earlier this year, but it did not come into effect. Even so, if the Senate approves the resolution, the study could be finalized by May 1, and online gambling, including turnkey casinos, could make its way into the budget proposal for next year. Senate President Joe Scarnati explained that they will conduct this study in order to find out how online gambling could maintain and even improve Pennsylvania’s position as a US gaming leader. Online gambling legalization could certainly be a boost for the state’s gaming industry, especially since the thriving casinos in the state saw declining slots revenue in July.