Pennsylvania political and gaming chiefs to gather

The Pennsylvania Senate’s failure to join the House in legalising and regulating online gambling this year (see previous reports) has exacerbated the state’s serious budget deficit gap, which by state law must be balanced.

The online gambling element among other gambling expansion plans was supported in the House as a means to contribute to funding the deficit, and the Senate’s failure to act further complicates an already complex problem that involves land casino tax and revenue distribution.

Republican state Senator Kim Ward has taken the initiative by inviting the heads of Pennsylvania’s 12 licensed land casinos to a meeting on January 3 to discuss options. With the notable exception of Sheldon Adelson’s Sands Bethlehem casino, most land casino managements are reportedly receptive to the idea of being permitted to open online gambling divisions within state borders.

“The days of doing nothing are over at this point,” pro-regulated online gambling Sen. Ward told the Associated Press news agency last week.