Casinos urge state court to shut down Pennsylvania iLottery

The facilities argue that the internet-based games simulate casino-style gambling.

US.- Pennsylvania casinos asked a state court on Wednesday to shut down the new iLottery program, as they believe that the internet-based games simulate casino-style gambling and therefore are in violation of state law.

In a complaint filed in Commonwealth Court against the Revenue Department, which includes the Pennsylvania Lottery, the owner of seven casinos said that the iLottery games mimic slot machines that can be found in land-based casinos.

“All of the iLottery games feature the same user interface as a slot machine and have the same interactive appearance, feel and play experience that a player would expect from land-based and online slot machines. These features include graphics, animation, suspenseful music, flashing lights, bells or sounds played when combinations are hit, and similar visual and auditory features.”

The casinos argue that the state Gaming Act limits casino games to companies that were granted a slot machine licence and hold a table games certificate. For that reason, they believe that the iLottery program is a direct incursion by the state into the exclusive market of the licensed gaming operators.

Lottery spokesman Gary Miller said: “It is important to note that Act 42 authorised the lottery’s new games, which are part of an effort to continue delivering to our customers games that they want and where they want while generating the additional funds to stabilize the Lottery Fund and provide vital services to older Pennsylvanians.”