Online Gambling Pennsylvania Law

admin  4/1/2022
This article will discuss poker laws in Pennsylvania, and the effects of the changes of these laws as they have occurred, in order to address the question: Is online poker legal in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania Online Poker Gambling Laws The short answer? Yes, online poker is now legal in Pennsylvania. On October 30th, 2017, Pennsylvania Governor […]
  1. Pennsylvania Gambling Age: 18 for lottery, bingo, and racing, 21 for casinos; Smoking ban: Pennsylvania permits casinos to set aside a percentage of the floor for smoking areas; Online gambling status: Horse racing is the only form of legal online gambling.
  2. Pennsylvania gambling laws. Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board; The Gaming Control Board’s website offers revenue reports, regulations, info on hearings and licensing information. Pennsylvania Gambling Law Amendments; Pennsylvania’s gaming laws are constantly influx, but this page will help you keep up with some of the updates they make.

Pennsylvania Online Gambling Law – Complete Guide and History October 30, 2017 marked a historic victory for online gambling proponents. It was on that day that Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed an omnibus gaming expansion bill, HB 271, into law.

This article will discuss poker laws in Pennsylvania, and the effects of the changes of these laws as they have occurred, in order to address the question: Is online poker legal in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania Online Poker Gambling Laws

The short answer? Yes, online poker is now legal in Pennsylvania. On October 30th, 2017, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed into law HB 271, a House of Representatives-sponsored bill that made online poker, as well as a long list of other changes, legal in Pennsylvania.

The result is that this single bill has caused the biggest expansion of gambling in the history of the United States that could occur outside of bills that have allowed casinos in a new state. This has also resulted in a huge online gambling expansion, because now the number of US residents who will have access to online gambling has doubled.

We will now explore the laws that have changed over the years and how these have affected Pennsylvanians.

Law Changes and Attempts to Change the Law

In 2011, the federal government’s Department of Justice rendered a legal opinion on an existing legal bill, the Wire Act, in which equipment could not legally be used to transmit money over state lines for sport betting. Until this time, operators in states were not allowed to host sites for the purpose of gambling online, under this law.

However, the 2011 legal opinion clarified that online gambling games such as poker and blackjack did not constitute sporting events, so the Wire Act no longer covered online gambling, apart from online sports betting, which remained illegal under the Wire Act.

This meant that states could now set their own laws on online gambling. Pennsylvania, with the second-largest gambling industry in the United States, was a sure contender to be a state that could see online gambling expansion.

Nevada was the first state to take advantage of this law clarification, managing to complete the legalization process for online poker before Pennsylvania could even get its first bill through the door. Pennsylvania’s first bill came in the form of Rep. Tina Davis’s HB 1235 of April 2013, and it would have permitted online casino games and poker in Pennsylvania, with licensing fees of $5 million and tax rates of 28 percent.

This first bill was not a success, although by the end of 2013, the Senate did call for a study to be done that would measure the impact of online gambling to Pennsylvania’s economy. When this study was completed halfway through 2014, it showed that, with a 20 percent tax on table games and a 60 percent tax on slots, that Pennsylvania could receive $68 million in its first year and $110 million in each year thereafter.

Emboldened by this, Sen. Edwin Erickson sponsored Senate Bill 1386, which would have allowed certain online games at tax rates of 14 percent and set licensing fees at $5 million, but the bill did not go any further.

No fewer than four bills were proposed in 2015 – Payne’s HB 649, Davis’s HB 920, Miccarelli’s HB 695 and Ward’s SB 900. It is clear from the above that the House of Representatives was showing greater impetus to clear the way for online gambling than the Senate. The House’s three tax proposals in 2015 were:

  • Payne’s HB 649: 14 percent tax, $5 million license fees
  • HB 920: 28 percent tax, $5 million license fees
  • Miccarelli’s HB 695: 14 percent tax, $5 million license fees, poker only

Meanwhile, Senator Kim Ward’s SB 900 had a proposed 54 percent tax rate and $10 million licensing fees, both of which were way above all of the House’s proposals.

From this, it should be clear that the Senate’s interested parties supported much higher fees and taxes than the House’s, and this dispute could be one of the reasons that, even though Payne’s HB 649 ended up passing the Gaming Oversight Committee by a vote of 18-8, the only 2015 bill to be submitted to a vote, it did not make it any further.

2016 was a year of confusion and false starts for online gaming legalization. While it was obvious that 2015 had shown that many interested parties were planning to push for legalization. Two highly similar amendments were proposed, A7622 and A7619, but they were defeated amongst misunderstanding over who had written the bills, and the controversy of video gaming terminals at non-casino locations.

One more bill, Dunbar’s HB 2150, which avoided the video gaming terminals outright, would have charged 16 percent tax and $8 million licensing fees, and was actually passed by the House, but ended up not being voted on by the Senate, possibly because it was late in the year and the Senate had to focus on the national election.

By the beginning of 2017, no fewer than nine separate pieces of legislation had been proposed, all seeking, under slightly different conditions and with different provisions, to legalize online gambling and expand the Pennsylvania gambling market and help to reduce the Pennsylvania budget deficit.

Lawmakers must have realized they were close, so they did not give up. Rep. Jason Ortitay, along with seven other sponsors, including Rep. George Dunbar, began drafting House Bill 271 in January 2017, the bill that was finally to result in full legalization of online gambling by October 2017.

What Will Pennsylvania Online Gambling Bill HB 271 Change?

The most pertinent change in HB 271 is the change to Pennsylvania online poker and other gambling laws. Existing casino license holders in Pennsylvania have priority to bid on the twelve, soon to be thirteen licenses available, but after 120 days, operators from out of state will also be allowed to bid.

Taxes will be charged at 16 percent of online poker and other table games’ revenue, and 54 percent of online slot gaming, in a reasonable compromise between the House and the Senate. Licenses will cost $10 million and will be valid for five years from the date of issue.

Surprisingly, the aforementioned controversy surrounding provision for video gaming terminals at truck stops and even tablet gaming machines at airports was not enough to hold back HB 271. The bill was so substantial that it even created an entirely new form of casino in Pennsylvania, Category 4 Casinos, a maximum of ten of which can be built in certain satellite locations, a specified distance away from competing major casinos.

Other provisions inside HB 271 include the legalization of daily fantasy sports, online lotteries, and the potential for expansion to existing category 3 or ‘resort’ casinos, in that, in return for extra license fees, they may remove their entrance fees, add more slot machines, and add extra gambling tables.

All in all, some may say that it was worth the five-year wait to have the Pennsylvania online gambling bill pass the state legislature and finally acquire the governor’s signature.

When Will Pennsylvania-Based Players Be Able to Play Online?

This question presently does not have a sure answer. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has a number of changes to implement following the passage of HB 271, and the construction and licensing of the satellite casinos is surely a priority for them.

However, given the urgency of the budget deficit that Pennsylvania is facing, it is likely that the state government will want to have the license fees collected by the end of the 2017/2018 fiscal year in June, for which $200 million has already been allocated as expected revenue from online gambling expansion.

Considering that the date of the license issuance to online poker operators is the single biggest variable influencing the rollout of online poker sites, it is likely that at some point in the second half of the year, such sites will be ready to accept players, as long as they are physically located in the state of Pennsylvania at the time of play, and over the age of 21.

If you simply cannot wait for the second half of the year, it may be better to play on an offshore site, which there is no federal or state law currently prohibiting you from doing. If you do this, three of your best options for Pennsylvania are Bovada, Ignition and Intertops.

How Much Money Will the State of Pennsylvania Make?

The state is currently projected to take in $110 million from licensing fees upfront, as long as the high taxes for online slots do not dissuade too many participants.

If they do, such operators could wait for the first 90-day limit after license issuance opening to pass and then purchase the $4 million online poker and $4 million online table game licenses, leaving out the slot licenses.

Play Pennsylvania and Online Poker Report collaborated to produce a white paper that forecasts the first year to bring in $154 million, and for this to increase to $275 million in the fifth year. In total, over five years, the revenue gained from online gambling may well surpass $400 million in upfront fees, revenue tax, and renewal fees.

Pennsylvania has experienced a quick rise in the gambling world. After
legalizing casinos and racinos in 2004, they have now earned over $3 billion
from 13 casinos.

Thanks to high casino taxes, the state collects over $1.4 billion in annual
tax revenue – highest of any American casino market.

Gambling is big business in the Keystone State, and they’re looking for ways
to increase this business. The most discussed option right now is regulated
online gambling. The exciting thing is that Pennsylvania is close to legalizing
the activity at the time of this writing.

So, what are your Internet gambling options in the meantime?

This is one question that we’ll answer while covering Pennsylvania’s online
gambling laws.

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Online Gambling and Pennsylvania Law

Pennsylvania’s criminal code doesn’t mention online gambling or any related
terms like “Internet” or “computer.”

This leaves their Internet gambling market in a grey area-one that’s served
by many offshore operators. Going further, you can access a number of online
casinos, poker rooms and sportsbooks from Pennsylvania.

Of course, just because offshore gambling is available doesn’t mean it’s
legal. This is why we’re going to take a deeper look at Pennsylvania’s gaming
laws below.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Pennsylvania?

Online Gambling Pennsylvania Law

No, but it’s not explicitly illegal either.

The Pennsylvania Constitution doesn’t offer a definition of illegal gambling.
Instead, their criminal code is mainly focused on illegal operators – especially
those offering lottery games.

Code 5513 is the closest thing that could be used to pursue offshore gambling
operators. Here are a few excerpts from this law, which lays out first-degree
misdemeanor penalties:

(2) “… allows persons to collect and assemble for the purpose of
unlawful gambling at any place under his control.”

(3) “… solicits or invites any person to visit any unlawful gambling
place for the purpose of gambling.”

These statutes are aimed at illegal land-based gambling businesses. They can
also be used against offshore gaming sites if Pennsylvania feels the need to do
so.

In summary, we don’t see anything too damning against Internet gambling. This
is why offshore operators continue to offer services to Quaker State residents.

How Close is Pennsylvania to Legalizing Internet Gambling?

At the time of this writing, Pennsylvania is very close to regulating
iGaming.

Online Gambling Pennsylvania Laws

The Keystone State’s legislative efforts dates back to 2013, when House
Representative Tina Davis introduced a bill to legalize online poker. This
legislation didn’t go very far, but it did get the ball rolling.

2015 saw another advancement when the House Gaming Oversight Committee passed
HB 649 by an 18 to 8 vote. The State House, however, rejected the legislation by
an 81 to 107 vote.

In 2016, HB 649 passed the State House by a 114 to 85 vote, but the State
Senate elected not to vote on the bill before their session ended.

Currently, two bills are on the table in SB 900 and HB 271. Here’s a closer
look at both pieces of legislation:

SB 900 – Sponsored by State
Senators Kim Ward, Joseph Scarnati and Elder Vogel, this bill would legalize
online casino and poker games. The tax rate is 54% though, and the licensing fee
is $10 million for 5 years. The 54% tax rate will scare many potential operators
away.

HB 271 – Another bill that
would regulate online casino games and poker, this legislation has passed the
Senate Appropriations Committee (24 to 2 vote), Senate Community Economic &
Recreational Development Committee (11 to 3 vote), State Senate (38 to 12 vote)
and State House (102 to 89 vote). The House lowered the tax rate (also 54%), and
the Senate must now vote to see if they approve.

Considering that the State House and Senate have both passed iGaming
legislation, it’s obvious that the state is in favor of the activity.

This is the case especially when considering that they must be creative about
finding ways to fund their $32 billion budget plan. The biggest hang up, though,
is the enormous tax rate.

If they can get this aspect settled, then it won’t be long before
Pennsylvania has regulated iGaming.

Can I Get Arrested for Gambling Online in Pennsylvania?

It’s very unlikely that you will be – if not downright impossible.

Pennsylvania’s criminal code doesn’t include any language that would result
in prosecution solely for playing online casino or poker games.

The one way this will change, though, is if Pennsylvania legalizes online
gambling.

This would make it perfectly legal to play at licensed online casinos and
poker sites, but the state government would almost assuredly ban residents from
playing at offshore gaming sites.

We’ve yet to see any of the states with regulated iGaming markets (Delaware,
Nevada, New Jersey) arrest anybody for offshore gaming. Then again, all three
states have also banned offshore companies and made it clear that they won’t
tolerate these sites operating in their boundaries.

Are Offshore Gaming Sites Safe?

We see Pennsylvania legalizing online gambling in the near future. Until this
happens, your best option is offshore sites.

The key is making sure that you only choose reputable sites that offer good
customer service and longevity. The latter aspect is especially important so you
know that the company operates honestly enough to stay in business.

Here are a few other key factors you want to look for in an offshore gaming
site:

  • Deposit options that you can use.
  • 24/7 customer service with live chat.
  • Good game variety.
  • Limited customer complaints (google for complaints).
  • Favorable bonus terms & conditions – the lower the bonus wagering
    requirements, the better.
  • Fair gaming with no major scandals.

Remember that offshore gaming companies aren’t licensed in the U.S., so they
don’t adhere to laws in unregulated states.

This makes it important to read reviews and do your research to make sure
that you’re signing up with a quality operator. If it makes you feel better, the
majority of offshore sites are reputable and value repeat business.

Also On This Page

More Gambling Laws in Pennsylvania
Gambling Venues in Pennsylvania
The History of Gaming Laws in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Gambling FAQs
Additional Information
The Future of Gambling in Pennsylvania

More Gambling Laws in Pennsylvania

  • Casino Games: Legal
  • Sports Betting:Illegal
  • Poker: Legal
  • Racing Betting:Legal
  • Lottery: Legal
  • Bingo: Legal
  • Charitable Gambling: Legal
  • Social Gambling: Not Specified

Casinos: Legal

The Racehorse Development and Gaming Act of 2004 allows for legal commercial
casinos, racinos and slots parlors in Pennsylvania.

The Keystone Stone has experienced major success with their casino market,
pulling in over $1.4 billion in tax revenue annually.

They’ve also managed to keep many of their residents from traveling to New
Jersey and other destinations for gambling. While this has been detrimental to
Atlantic City, it’s kept billions of tax dollars in state over the years.

Pennsylvania has video gaming in its bars, nightclubs and restaurants. These
are only Class II gaming machines, though, meaning they must determine results
through virtual bingo cards.

Aside from having a predetermined number of prizes, Class II gaming is
similar to slot machines in commercial casinos.

Charitable Gambling: Legal

The Small Games of Chance Act sets forth laws and regulations for charity
gambling.

This act allows approved groups to generate revenue through bingo, drawings,
pull tabs, punchboards, raffles and weekly drawings.

Eligible groups must advance one or more of the following causes:

  • Combat juvenile delinquency.
  • Helping the aged, distressed and/or poor.
  • Improving mental, physical or spiritual aspects of young men and women,
    such as the YMCA and YWCA.
  • Offering humane services.
  • Volunteer ambulance, firefighter, rescue squad, senior and wildlife
    organizations.

Lottery: Legal

Approved in 1971, Pennsylvania has one of America’s biggest lotteries,
pulling in over $4 billion in annual revenue.

Available games include: Big 4, Cash 5, Daily Number, Mega Millions and
Powerball. They also feature scratch off/instant tickets, which are their
biggest sellers.

Poker: Legal

Pennsylvania has several poker rooms throughout the state, and they offer
over 260 tables combined.

Available poker games include: 7 card stud, 7 card stud Hi Lo, mixed games,
Omaha, Omaha Hi Lo and no limit Texas holdem.

Racing: Legal

The Coal State has six racetracks, including Harrah’s Philadelphia, Hollywood
Casino (off track), Meadows Racetrack, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, Parx Casino
and Racing and Presque Isle Downs and Casino.

Thanks to the Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, all of these venues can
offer slot machines.

Social Gambling: Not Specified

Pennsylvania’s gambling laws don’t offer a definitive statement on social
gaming.

Code 5513 (2) does contain the following excerpt though:

“… allows persons to collect and assemble for the purpose of unlawful
gambling at any place under his control.”

This would technically make hosting a social gambling function illegal, but
without a concrete definition on illegal gambling, it’s hard to make this
determination.

The case
Commonwealth vs. Watkins makes it seem as if social gambling is legal in
Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania charged Diane Dent and Walter Watkins with holding illegal poker
games in their garage. Dent received tips while working as the dealer, which was
one of the biggest issues.

Despite the voluntary dealer tips, Judge Thomas A. James Jr. acquitted Dent
and Watkins as he ruled that poker is skill based game.

Pennsylvania will bust an illegal gambling function where the host is
profiting through rake and/or by selling food and drinks. You’re most likely
safe to engage in social gambling here, provided everything is legal.

Gambling Venues in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has one of the largest casino gambling markets in the world with
over 29,000 gaming machines and 1,100 table games.

Their biggest gaming venue is Parx Casino and Racing, which has over 3,500
slot machines and 130 table games. The second largest is Sands Bethlehem with
more than 3,000 gaming machines and 180 table games.

Below, you can see details on these casinos and others in the Pennsylvania
gambling market:

    1) Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack

    777 Harrah’s Boulevard, Chester, Pennsylvania

    2) Hollywood Casino & Off Track Betting

    777 Hollywood Boulevard, Grantville, Pennsylvania

    3) Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin

    4067 National Pike, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

    4) Live! Hotel & Casino Philadelphia

    900 Packer Avenue Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    5) Meadows Racetrack & Casino

    210 Racetrack Road Washington, Pennsylvania

    6) Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs

    1280 Highway 315, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

    7) Mount Airy Casino Resort

    312 Woodland Road, Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania

    8) Parx Casino and Racing

    2999 Street Road, Bensalem, Pennsylvania

    9) Presque Isle Downs & Casino

    8199 Perry Highway, Erie, Pennsylvania

    10) Rivers Casino

    777 Casino Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

    11) Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem

    77 Sands Boulevard, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

    12) SugarHouse Casino

    1001 North Delaware, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    13) Valley Forge Casino Resort

    1160 First Avenue King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

History of Gambling in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania had a quiet gambling history until 2004, when the Racehorse
Development and Gaming Act approved casinos, racinos and slots parlors.

Since then, Pennsylvania has had 12 casinos spring up in their state.

Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs became the first casino to launch in the Quaker
State. Nine more gambling venues would open over the next three years alone.

One thing that’s currently missing from Pennsylvania’s gambling history,
though, includes legalizing online gaming. With several legislative attempts in
recent years, this should come very soon.

2004

Racehorse Development and Gaming Act passed, allowing commercial casino, racinos, and slots parlors.

2006

Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs opens in Novewmber, becoming Pennsylvania’s first casino; Philadelphia Park Casino and Racetrack opens the following month.

2007

Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack, Presque Isle Downs and Casino, Meadows Racetrack and Casino, and Mount Airy Casino open.

2008Online gambling pennsylvania lawyers

Hollywood Casino at Penn Nation becomes seventh casino to open.

2009Online Gambling Pennsylvania Law

Sands Bethlehem Casino and Rivers Casino both open.

2010

Gov. Ed Rendall approves legislation to allow table games at casinos.

2013

House Rep. Tina Davis introduces bill to legalize Internet gambling.

2014

Parx Casino and GameAccount Network launch play money gaming site.

2015

Four pieces of iGaming legislation are introduced, but none are approved.

2016

HB 649, a bill to legalize Internet casino and poker games, passes Senate by a 114 to 85 vote, it fails to receive a vote during the House’s session.

2017

HB 271 (legal online casino/poker games) passes State House and Sentate, the Senate must agree on the House’s amended tax rate.

Pennsylvania FAQs

The Keystone State doesn’t have any laws for or against online gaming. This
leaves a lot of questions to be answered regarding both daily fantasy sports
(DFS) and other forms of iGaming.

Let’s look at a few of the FAQs that we’ve received on Pennsylvania’s online
gaming market.

Are Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania follows a “predominance test” with regard to daily fantasy
sports. This means that levels of chance and skill are measured to determine if
DFS is a legal skill based activity.

As of now, DFS is in a grey area in Pennsylvania. There’s currently
legislation on the table that would legalize and regulate the activity.

State Senator, Gary Reschenthaler has introduced legislation that seeks to
legalize DFS. This bill is receiving some attention because it would help the
aforementioned state budget problem.

Even if Reschenthaler’s bill doesn’t pass, players can still enjoy DFS
through Pennsylvania’s unregulated market.

Why does Pennsylvania Allow Offshore Gaming Sites?

Online Gambling Pennsylvania Apps

The Quaker State doesn’t have any legislation in place that allows offshore
operators. They don’t pay much attention to these sites though.

Like other states, Pennsylvania has more pressing matters to worry about
other than chasing offshore companies in the Caribbean or Central America. Plus,
it takes a lot of manpower and legal resources to pursue such a case.

The U.S. Department of Justice carried out a successful case against online
poker sites. Dubbed
Black Friday,
this operation busted the owners of Absolute Poker, Full Tilt Poker, PokerStars
and UltimateBet for money laundering and bank fraud.

Pennsylvania won’t carry out the same kind of largescale case against
offshore operators – especially when they already have budget difficulties.

Pennsylvania’s stance against offshore gaming companies will change when/if
they legalize iGambling. For now, they’re taking a laidback approach.

Why do I Keep Seeing Commercials Bashing Online Gambling?

For a while, the Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling (CSIG) ran numerous
advertisements railing against Pennsylvania’s online gambling efforts.

Their key points included biased studies that Internet gambling will lead to
widespread addiction and an increased number of underage players.

Las Vegas Sands Chairman Sheldon Adelson, who owns the Sands Bethlehem
Casino, funds the CSIG. His main goal is to stop Internet gambling in
Pennsylvania as well as other states.

Adelson would also like to see iGaming banned on a federal level. He’s funded
several politicians who have in turn
introduced the Restoration of America’s Wire Act (RAWA) to U.S. Congress.

The good news, though, is that Adelson’s bill has
failed to gain any traction with conservatives, despite the fact that he’s
one of the top GOP donors.

Will Pennsylvania Legalize Online Sports Betting?

This seems unfathomable right now with the current federal ban in place. We
do see the Quaker State eventually being able to regulate Internet sports
betting though.

The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 bans
sports wagering on a federal level. The only four exceptions include the
grandfathered states of Delaware, Montana, Nevada and Oregon.

New Jersey has been fighting PASPA in an attempt to have land-based
sportsbooks.

NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver – although not approving of sports gambling –
believes the
activity should be legalized to give consumers options besides offshore
sportsbooks.

The Pennsylvania House Gaming Oversight Committee preemptively passed a
sports betting law (23 to 1 vote) to legalize sports betting. This would take
effect if Congress ever repeals PASPA.

Is It Legal to Gamble on My Smartphone in Pennsylvania?

Keeping with the theme of Pennsylvania’s other gambling laws, we don’t see
anything that would deem smartphones gaming to be illegal.

Many states have broad laws that cover wireless capable devices like
computers, smartphones and tablets, but Pennsylvania’s criminal code doesn’t
discuss such devices in a manner that would make them illegal. Instead, all
language regarding illegal devices is aimed at operators – namely those with
slot machines.

Here’s an example from code 5513 (1):

“… intentionally or knowingly makes, assembles, sets up, maintains, sells,
lends, leases, gives away, or offers for sale, loan, lease or gift, any punch
board, drawing card, slot machine or any device to be used for gambling
purposes, except playing cards.”

As you can see, this discusses physical gambling devices that illegal gambler
operators would offer. It doesn’t, however, come remotely close to deeming smart
phones/tablets as gaming devices.

Long story short, you’ll likely never be arrested for playing online casino
and poker games on your phone.

Additional Resources

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board oversees the state’s 13 licensed
casinos and slots parlors. They also work with the State Horse Racing Commission
to oversee racinos.

Here’s a closer look at both of these agencies along with more resources on
Pennsylvania gambling laws.

    The Gaming Control Board’s website offers revenue reports, regulations, info
    on hearings and licensing information.

    Pennsylvania’s gaming laws are constantly influx, but this page will help you
    keep up with some of the updates they make.

The Future & Your Views

Pennsylvania is the next closest candidate to legalize online gambling.

They’ve introduced several pieces of iGaming legislation over the past few
years. HB 271 has passed both the State Senate and House, even though the latter
takes issue with the taxes.

The main sticking point is the 54% tax-rate that’s featured in HB 271 as well
as several other legislative attempts.

Pennsylvania taxes land-based slot machine revenue at 55%. Politicians would
like to see the online gambling rate approach this amount.

We don’t see this being viable, though, because nobody in the world taxes
Internet gambling at 54%.

Many consider Spain to have a high iGaming tax rate at 25%, not even charging
half of what Pennsylvania bills have proposed.

By comparison, neighboring New Jersey only taxes online gambling revenue at
15%.

Pennsylvania online gambling laws

Online Gambling Pa Law

The good news is that Pennsylvania needs as much revenue as possible to meet
their current $32 billion budget. This makes it likely that they’ll work out the
tax-rate problem and pass something soon.

Pennsylvania Online Gambling Laws

In the meantime, Quicker State gamblers still have access to a wide variety
of offshore gaming sites.