Pennsylvania proposes a third bill

The latest Senate Bill 524 would legalise the iGaming and daily fantasy sports sectors in Pennsylvania.

US.- The Pennsylvania Senate has received a third gaming proposal to debate during this legislative session. Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, along with his Democratic colleagues Senator Wayne Fontana, Senator Vincent Hughes and Senator Judy Schwank, presented the latest gaming regulation Senate Bill 524.

The new proposal sets similar amendments as previous bills, such as the legalisation of the online gaming, including iLottery, and daily fantasy sports (DFS) industry. It also offers a plan to reinstate the local share tax for casino host cities, and the authorisation to operate multi-state progressive and skilled-based slot machines.

Furthermore, Bill 524 would approve tablet gaming at local airports. However, Costa’s project increments the proposed taxes for the iGaming and DFS sectors to 24 percent and the licensing fee to US$10 million. It also sets a loftier rate for industry vendors of US$5 million.

The State’s legislators has been holding several hearings since January 2017 to discuss the legalisation of the iGaming industry and the daily fantasy sports sector, as well as a casino tax reform and the authorised slot machines expansion to bars and fraternal clubs. The previous bills are being treated by the House of Representatives, which will send the approved projects to the Senate.