Pennsylvania introduces online gambling bill

The Pennsylvania House Committee on Gaming will be holding a public hearing on April 16. The commission, presided by Pennsylvania State Representative John D Payne, will discuss the needs for Pennsylvania to have a gambling regulated market within the US state. Last week’s Wednesday, State Representative John D Payne announced he was going to introduce a new bill, House Bill 649, to decriminalize online poker as well as regulate the state’s gambling market. The bill does not present specifications on Bad Actor policies at all, allowing sites like Poker Stars to operate Pennsylvania’s future online poker market. The regulation would be very strict as only the gaming operators that have already a license, will be the only ones eligible for a new license. On the contrary, not everything is wonderful on the Keystone State as land-based casino mogul, Sheldon Adelson, continues with his support to hatred movements in America. Casino resorts’ tycoon has created the Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling to prevent others to profit from the gambling industry benefits. In this case, the billionaire does not want online poker in Pennsylvania, as he already has his monopoly established in the state with the casino resort LVS’ Sands Bethlehem.

Pennsylvania State Representative John D Payne feels very positive about the new bill that would finally open the online gambling market for the Keystone State. He made a public statement during the announcement: “Regulating online gaming will give Pennsylvania the opportunity to become a top competitor among its neighboring states in the gaming industry. We are currently facing a projected $2 billion budget shortfall. I think it is important we consider all responsible options to boost revenue before we consider asking our taxpayers for more money to fill that deficit. Right now millions of Americans, including Pennsylvanians, participate in illegal online gaming where no regulation currently exists. By enacting effective state policy, we can help curb the illegal market while ensuring strong safeguards are in place to protect consumers. Regulating online gaming will also give Pennsylvania the opportunity to become a top competitor among its neighboring states in the gaming industry. The implementation of legalized online gaming in Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware demonstrates the technologies exist to regulate Internet gaming safely and effectively. This legislation is the first step toward ensuring future growth as the industry expands.”