New Pennsylvania hearing scheduled for online gambling

Pennsylvania state Senator Kim Ward, who chairs the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee, appears to have found positive content in the recent Econsult report on the potential for legalised online gambling, and plans to hold a hearing in her committee to discuss the study – probably early in June.

Ward said Wednesday that she has invited representatives of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, the Department of Revenue and land-based casino operators to the discussion.

The senator commented that the study has influenced her personal view of legalisation from neutral to supportive of the concept, provided it is strictly regulated and policed.

The Econsult study had addressed all of her concerns on the potential for legalised online gambling as a possible source for further state revenue collection, she said.

The House Democratic Policy Committee in Pennsylvania held a generally positive hearing on e-gaming last week (see previous reports).