As of July 15, 2019, the Keystone state became the fourth US state to enter the web casino gaming industry. In fact, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (aka PBCB) had launched the first tests of betting applications accessible to users over the age of 21.
#10 Controlling Gambling in PA
In the state, the PGCB is the only responsible and monitoring organization to control all gambling and gambling-related activities. All online gambling PA legalization and revenue questions are considered by the organization.
To strengthen the various control types and measures, the regulator’s employees are working jointly with the authorities to implement sophisticated verification and geolocation tools.
When it comes to the gambling addiction and responsible gambling, a betting limit had been put in place allowing players to regulate their bet as the session progresses.
#9 The First Casinos in the Keystone State
The PGCB regulator had initially already confirmed the opening of the online casino Parx Online casino for a while. In addition, at the same time, the agency had confirmed the official launch of Hollywood Casino, as the source announces.
The two platforms began on July 15, 2019, with a test phase, each at different times. As for the Hollywood Casino site, it chose its partner, which is none other than IGT. This supplier is known for the production of online slot machines.
#8 The Keystone Gambling Financial Benefits
The access to online casino games provides many benefits to the operators as well as to the state. Indeed, the market generates substantial funds going directly into state coffers.
Operators will have to pay a license fee of $5 million if they want to offer gambling options at the airports of the state.
According to the PGCB’s report, the profits of a physical and virtual casino are not at all the same. For example, some of the casinos have accumulated 82.6% of revenues, 14.4% for Internet games of which 3% comes from sports betting.
#7 Legalized Betting Activities in PA
The bill permitting and regulating the gambling activities in Pennsylvania also provides that the state’s five racetracks can add up to 250 slot machines at four non-racetrack betting houses. Said rooms should be located at a distance of more than 50 miles from other casinos.
Racetracks will have to pay a royalty of $ 5 million for each salon where they wish to install slot machines.
The PA law also allowed the casino establishments to add 250 additional slot machines, bringing the maximum number of machines to 850, and 15 additional table games.
Under current regulations, casino complexes can offer 50 table games. When the bill goes into effect, it also legalizes and regulates the provision of daily fantasy sports options within state borders.
#6 Taxation-Related Numbers
A tax of 54% on the daily receipts of slot machines will be implemented. The general state fund will receive 92% of the revenue generated. The host county and municipality will each receive 4% of the money.
Slot machines at state airports will all be taxed at 54%, with 34% going to checkouts in Pennsylvania and 20% going to the airports themselves.
#5 Old Rules Out of Action
The Keystone state’s gambling bill also proposes to change the rules in force at casino resorts. According to the original regulations, visitors to these resorts must be customers of other facilities on the site in order to play at the casinos.
Otherwise, they would have to pay a certain fee for gambling. The bill removes this rule.
#4 Most Popular Gambling Activities at the Beginning
When PA legalized online gambling activities within its borders, among the most popular titles, there were:
- Cleopatra
- Wolf of Run
- Golden Goddess, etc.
As evident, all of the games are exclusively manufactured by IGT, one of the world-renowned casino providers.
#3 Types of Casinos to Be Legal in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has authorized four categories of casino licenses:
- Category 1: Horse Racing Casinos
- Category 2: Autonomous casinos
- Category 3: Resort Casinos
- Category 4: Satellite casinos
#2 Fantasy Sports in PA
Eight providers are licensed to provide fantasy sports in Pennsylvania. They include:
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- Disorganized
- Boom Fantasy
- Sportshub Technologies
- Fantastic full-time sports
- Yahoo Fantasy Sports
- Fantastic project
#1 Skill Games
A new phenomenon across Pennsylvania is the proliferation of ‘skill machines’. These machines, which often look like video slots or VGTs, are able to circumvent gambling laws due to an earlier court ruling that ruled that they were not slots.
So, these machines can now be found in many bars, clubs, gas stations, and tobacco shops across the Keystone state.