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The state has been discussing the possibility of legalizing iGaming for a couple of years now. But the prospects of the state government enacting a law appear to be at an all-time high.
The hearing about PA online gambling
Here’s what we know:
- The Senate Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee and the House Gaming Oversight Committee will hold a joint hearing.
- The meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 7, at 2 p.m.
- The hearing will discuss possible “gambling expansion options” for the state.
A hearing in the House had been canceled while lawmakers were trying to schedule this joint hearing.
The two committees above deal with all gaming issues in the statehouse.
Online gambling not mentioned, however…
A notice about the hearing does not make any mention of online gambling, specifically.
However, online gambling would be a major part of the revenue generated by any gaming package. And revenue is the topic on everyone’s mind as the state deals with the prospect of major deficit.
And there’s this, from gaming industry expert Sara Friedman:
So, it appears that iGaming will be on the agenda in a few short days.
Online gambling a hot topic in PA
The prospect of online gambling continues to be a front-burner issue in PA, for lawmakers, casinos and the media.
Gov. Tom Wolf recently discussed online gambling during a live-streamed Q&A online.
Casinos in the state are generally welcoming of the idea of online gambling legalization. Being able to offer iGaming might help them stem the tide as slot machine revenue has been in decline.
The news about the hearing is the latest development in a string of good news for proponents of PA online gambling.