With time running out to pass iGaming legislation in Pennsylvania, the House Gaming Oversight Committee has decided to try and take matters into its own hands.
The committee will hold a hearing next week on iGaming and Daily Fantasy Sports to discuss changes and possibly prompt Senate lawmakers to move forward with a vote on HB 2150.
Tuesday Hearing to Likely Focus on Daily Fantasy Sports
The PA House Oversight Committee will hold a hearing on Tuesday September 27th to review the states that have passed iGaming or DFS legislation.
Not much has happened in the realm of iGaming since 2013 and it should be a short review as Delaware, New Jersey and Nevada are still the only states that have regulated online casino gambling or poker.
However, there's been a plethora of activity on the DFS front in the last year with eight states having passed DFS legislation and multiple others filing bills.
DFS sites have experienced a roller coaster ride this year due to the uncertain nature of legality in many states.
Major DFS sites DraftKings and FanDuel have left states and then returned later once laws were passed regulating the activity. However, the sites still operate unregulated in many areas, including Pennsylvania.
Hearing Should Prompt Action from Senate Lawmakers
While it may seem odd that the PA House would hold a hearing on iGaming and DFS after passing HB 2150, some feel that it is being done to prompt action from the Senate.
The Senate has just until the end of next week to pass a bill and get it to the Governor's desk, or the whole process will begin anew in 2017.
This hearing will, they hope, prompt lawmakers to finally bring the bill to a vote and finally push the bill through to the Governor.
HB 2150, if passed, will regulate online poker, online casino gambling and Daily Fantasy Sports.
Next year's budget has already earmarked $100 million in revenue from the industry but if the bill fails, lawmakers must scramble to make up the shortfall.
The PA Senate is at a critical juncture for HB 2150.
Should the Senate fail to act swiftly, iGaming regulation will die for 2016 and there is a solid chance that we will not see another state bring iGaming online until 2018 at the earliest.