Penn Live – Tuesday’s hearing on the prospect of legalizing Internet-based poker and other games through Pennsylvania brought out the full spectrum of the casino industry’s feelings about the newest wave of gambling expansion. To be sure, most of Pennsylvania’s current casino operators said they see long-term opportunity in an expansion styled after that implemented in New Jersey last year. But if past precedent is any example for the present, the range of opinions from the casino operators themselves will likely make any effort to include an Internet gaming expansion into this year’s budget package a tough climb. Executives and…

iGaming Business – Pennsylvania State Senator Edwin Erickson has announced his intention to introduce a new bill that has the potential to bring regulated online poker to the US state. Erickson confirmed that State Bill 1386 would be rolled out in the coming weeks. “In the next few weeks I intend to introduce Senate Bill 1386, legislation that would authorise interactive gaming in the form of online poker,” Erickson said. “A recent study from the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee found that internet gaming is a large new source of revenue that the Commonwealth could explore. This means more revenue…

Lancaster Online – Allowing online gambling through Pennsylvania’s casinos could bring in $307 million annually to the state, according to a study commissioned by the Pennsylvania Senate. The senate asked that potential gaming revisions be evaluated because of a leveling off and decline at some casinos and the expansion of gaming in surrounding states. New Jersey, Delaware and Nevada now allow online gambling. Of the Lancaster County lawmakers who could be reached for comment, only Democrat Rep. Mike Sturla favors legalizing online gambling. And it’s not just because of the money, the Lancaster said. “It really is a situation where,…

Online Poker Report – A critical report released today on the future of Pennsylvania’s gambling industry should give proponents of regulated online gambling cause for optimism. The report – entitled “The Current Condition and Future Viability of Casino Gaming in Pennsylvania” – was presented this morning to Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee. Pennsylvania lawmakers mandated the creation of the report, produced by Econsult Solutions, back in December 2013. So what exactly about the report augurs well for regulated online poker and casino coming to the Keystone State? After surveying industry experts, casino owners, existing research and comparable markets to…

ABC 27 – First came slot machines. Then came table games. The Lottery was then expanded. Small games of chance were recently permitted in bars and restaurants. Gambling is a growth industry in Pennsylvania in recent years and the next big thing could be web wagering. Online gaming would let players sit in the comfort of their home, or on their mobile devices, and gamble. No trip to a store, bar or casino would be necessary to place a bet. State Representative Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster) says online gaming is likely headed for the Keystone State. It’s just a question of…

Card Player – The Pennsylvania study on the condition of the gambling industry in the state, with particular emphasis on the potential impact of online gaming, is coming back earlier than expected. Commissioned by the State Senate last December to be completed by the beginning of May, the study from the Senate Legislative Budget and Finance Committee is on the schedule to be presented Wednesday morning. “We wanted to see what the overall health of the casino industry is in the state and whether or not there’s room for expansion without cannibalizing what’s currently in place,” said State Sen. Kim…