It has been a long time coming, but it’s starting to look like online gambling legislation is finally coming to Pennsylvania. Over the past few years, lawmakers in the state have been working hard to make online casinos legal, and gaming operators in the state will be able to submit their applications.
Several Applications Put Forward
The 13 casinos in Pennsylvania have until August to apply for online gaming licenses, but only a few have come forward to submit their forms. So far, three local gaming operators have stepped forward.
One of the applicants is Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment, which filed its application on July 12. The company has applied for three online gaming licenses for the full $10 million fee:
- A peer-to-peer online gaming license which would permit online poker
- A license to offer online slots
- A license to offer table games online
Greenwood will be working with GAN to build its online casino and poker sites. The two companies have previously worked together to launch a social casino in 2015, so they have an established working relationship and have the potential to create a great online gambling service.
There is no word yet on the other state license holders that have submitted applications. It is anticipated that several more operators will come forward, as online gambling offers up plenty more generous earning potential with the opportunity to generate millions in tax revenue.
Is There Room for Operators from Abroad?
Should any of the online casino licenses go unsold by August 16, then applications will be opened up to operators who don’t already have local state licenses. This could mean that international operators may be able to make their way into Pennsylvania’s online gambling market.
That situation seems unlikely, however, as local operators will want to snatch up licenses while they’re available. There is certainly plenty of opportunity for license holders to improve revenue in both online and land-based venues. As demonstrated in New Jersey, the legalization of online gamblinghelped save Atlantic City, where gaming profits were plummeting.
