Pennsylvania has moved a step closer to legalising online gaming after the US state’s House Gaming Oversight Committee approved a bill that would regulate such activities.
As reported by iGaming Business, a number of bills have been put forward in the state this year in an effort to legalise online gaming.
Bill HB 649, introduced earlier this year by State Representative John Payne, is one piece of legislation that has generated significant interest in Pennsylvania.
The legislation pushes for the regulation and legalisation of online gambling to existing licence holders in the state, similar to the current regulatory framework in New Jersey.
A Pennsylvania House Committee had been due to meet last month to discuss the bill, but a vote was delayed due to ongoing budget talks.
However, the state’s House Gaming Oversight Committee has now voted 18-8 in favour of the bill, which will now move to a potential full House vote.
Should the legislation gain approval in the full House, it will move forward to the Senate for consideration, before being passed to Governor Tom Wolf to decide whether to sign into law or veto.
John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Alliance, a Washington DC-based lobby group that is supporting the bill, said he hopes the legislation will be enacted on its own or as part of the state’s 2016 budget by the end of the year.
“With the passage of HB 649, the House Gaming Oversight Committee has proven their commitment to providing Pennsylvania residents with a safe and regulated place to play online poker within their own borders,” Pappas said.
“The PPA thanks chairman John Payne and the Committee for their leadership. Now this bill needs to become law.
“The safety of consumers and the fiscal health of Pennsylvania will be vastly improved when internet gaming is appropriately licensed, regulated and taxed.
“It is our hope that the legislation will be enacted on its own or as part of the state’s 2016 budget by the end of this year.”
source : www.igamingbusiness.com
