The provisions in HB 1235 enabled existing casinos and slot machine license holders to apply for supplemental licenses that would have allowed them to set up online operations. Tina Davis (D) of District 141 spearheaded the earliest official effort to legalize online gambling in Pennsylvania back in April 2013 with the introduction of House Bill 1235 (HB 1235). It wouldn’t be until 2017, which was the third consecutive year that advocates made a concerted push to legalize online gambling, that iGaming legislation crossed the finish line. In the ensuing years, there were multiple instances where legislators came frustrating close to passing a bill, only for the process to get derailed at the 11th hour. The first rumblings from lawmakers regarding online gambling took place in 2013. Pennsylvania online gambling legislation timeline

Sports betting, pending the federal law that currently prohibits sports betting in most states is overturned.

The construction of up to 10 Category 4 (satellite) casinos.

Video gaming terminals (VGTs) at truck stops.

In addition to online gambling, HB 271 legalizes the following: The slot rate is a hefty 52%, also with an added 2% reserved for the local share.

The tax rate on online poker and table games is set at 14% of gross gaming revenue with an additional 2% allocated for a local share assessment.

After 120 days, any unclaimed licenses can be purchased by qualified entities that aren’t PA land-based casinos.

After 90 days, casinos will be allowed to apply for an individual segment of a license for $4 million a pop.

For the first 90 days of the licensing period, casinos can apply for a collective license covering all three verticals for $10 million.

Each license is broken down into three categories: poker, slots, and table games. 12 total licenses available, one for each of the state’s 12 land-based casino.Legalizes online poker, slots, and table games.

We’ve dissected the bill, and pulled the important parts relevant to those interested in the online gambling provisions. HB 271 is a comprehensive bill that underwent many revisions, with the final version clocking in at over 900 pages.

When did pa legalize online