Pennsylvania Looking To Package DFS & Online Bills For Quick Approval

Pennsylvania is looking to achieve what New York could not, by getting a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and an online poker bill passed together. New York recently approved of a DFS bill, but its online poker bill failed to make anyway further headway this year, after a promising start, as the assembly session for the year had ended.

Now in the Keystone state, Representative John Payne had proposed bill HB 649, which would allow all the 12 existing casinos iGaming licenses, but the bill was rejected on May 24, by a vote of 107 to 81 in the state house, due to confusion over certain issues in the bill.

One of the main problems had been 11 of the 12 casinos objecting to the inclusion of video gaming terminals (VGTs) allowed at bars, restaurants and clubs, while agreeing to casinos themselves installing these at airports.

After the confusion on May 24, Payne has given up speculating the fate of his bill and explained the process saying that in Pennsylvania, a committee chairman introduced a bill, answered all queries and thereafter it was moved on to the House floor.

Speaking in an interview with PokerNews, he added, “Once it gets there, it’s up to House leadership to decide whether it has the votes to run a bill. My job is essentially done when I get the bill out of committee. I’m not really sure what is the leadership’s strategy or what all amendments are being planned.”

Tired of hoping to see his bill fructify, Payne has now decided to club his bill with Rep. George Dunbar’s DFS bill, HB 2150, which is scheduled for a second hearing today. Packaged the two bills are expected to be heard as early as tomorrow, June 23.

An excited Payne stated that, “Hopefully we’ll have a good package tomorrow.” He went on to point out the success New Jersey has achieved in iGaming and said that Pennsylvania could well replicate the model. Payne reminded that such a bill was being considered by several other states for its profitable tax revenues, besides keeping players in a safe and controlled environment.

Payne is hoping that bill will be passed before the Pennsylvania fiscal year, which begins on July 1, with the projected revenues from his iGaming bill adding substantially to the state coffers.

The representative is retiring on November 3 and this will be his last attempt at getting the bill approved. Reminding members about the benefits of the bill, Payne declared, “I’ve said it before, that this isn’t about John Payne. I’m 65 years old with six months to go to retire. I’m not worried about getting my name in a bill. I want to see things get done.”

“This is a way to get revenue for Pennsylvania without raising income or sales taxes. We have the intent to put this revenue toward our pension deficit, and that’s a good thing. It would give casinos additional tools to stay competitive with surrounding states, and that’s a good thing,” he concluded.

Once the bill passes muster in the House, it will still need approval from the Assembly to move ahead, and as seen in New York, it remains unpredictable if the package will proceed smoothly and fast enough to become law before the State legislature sessions ends for this year.