No Online Gaming in PA This Year

The Pennsylvania legislature is trying to expand gaming significantly to include interactive gaming and fantasy sports, among some other major changes. This would create opportunities both for existing operators to generate new sources of revenue, and allow new participants a chance to enter the Pennsylvania market. This bill is called HB2150 but it is not likely to pass before the end of 2016.

Casey Long, director of policy and legislative affairs in the office of Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati says that the Senate has no plans to act on the bill, which has already been approved by the House of Representatives by a vote of 114-85. The state has until November 30 to pass bill HB2150 if it is to come into law before the end of the year. If not approved by this date it will have to be reintroduced when the next legislative session begins in January.

While Pennsylvania lawmakers remain unsure on HB2150, the bill has been backed by various organizations in the DFS sector, including the Fantasy Sports Trade Association and operators DraftKings and FanDuel. The bill has been described as a "smart balance between regulation and making sure that we don't create barriers to entry."