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Pennsylvania Online Lottery to Start in Spring – West Virginia Introduces iGaming Bill

We now have an idea of when some online games will begin in Pennsylvania. The state lottery has revealed plans to become the first entity to bring games online in 2018.

Meanwhile, West Virginia has thrown their hat back into the ring for iGaming regulation. This time they are giving themselves enough time to actually get something accomplished.

Pennsylvania Lottery to Start Selling Online Tickets in Spring

One component largely overlooked by journalists covering online gambling expansion in Pennsylvania is the state lottery. Part of the bill that helped to regulate online gambling and online poker will also allow the state lottery to start selling online lottery tickets.

According to an article from the PA Tribune-Review, it appears that the lottery will start offering online sales sometime this Spring. The article uses an unnamed lottery spokesman for their claim. According to the piece, the state will offer games online and on mobile devices.

One possible reason for the lottery’s expedience in launching is because it will profit them more than other entities. A large chunk of online gambling revenues will be channeled to the state but the lottery will be allowed to keep their proceeds, giving them a financial advantage to getting started as early as possible.

According to Jeffrey A . Johnson, spokesman for the state lottery, “Consumer tastes are changing, which is why the Lottery must modernize its 45-year-old business model. We are facing growing competition from other forms of entertainment and must act to increase our market share, because older Pennsylvanians are relying on our support for vital benefit programs.”

Lottery officials expect revenues of online lottery sales to eclipse $250 million in the first five years. The lottery uses part of these revenues to provide rent rebates to older citizens as well as drug subsidies and other benefits.

Presently, all we know is that the lottery plans to launch games sometime in the spring. Which games they plan to launch have yet to be revealed.

In terms of where online casinos presently stand, they are still in the early phase of regulatory and licensing efforts. According to Gaming Control Board spokesman Doug Harbach, “We’re just talking with the (casino) companies that would be involved in online gaming and what’s being offered. We have to put together regulations that will guide not only the games themselves, but also the licensing.”

All eyes are on Pennsylvania and many feel their launch will help precipitate further online gambling efforts in the United States.

West Virginia Reintroduces Online Gambling Bill

West Virginia was one state we expected to revisit online gambling legislation in 2018 and they have already taken the first steps. Bill H 3067 has been filed with the WV House Judiciary Committee and looks to allow state licensed casinos to offer online gambling.

The primary sponsor is Delegate Shawn Fluharty and is co-sponsored by Delegates Sean Hornbuckle, Mike Pushkin, Joseph Canestraro and Mick Bates. The bill will regulate online gambling and Daily Fantasy Sports in the state.

If passed, WV casinos can get started pretty easily. There’s only a $50,000 licensing fee. Furthermore, the tax rate is jut 14%. Online gambling will be regulated by the WV Lottery Commission, which is normal considering they oversee the state’s casinos. The Lottery Commission will be able to enter into interstate compacts similar to other states that have regulated online gambling.

While this is viewed as a positive sign by many, it’s too early to tell whether this bill will have any real support. Last year, the bill was introduced near the end of the legislative term and the House Speaker was against the measure.

It’s unknown at this time how much support this bill has. Granted, the state may now feel extra pressure to move considering that Pennsylvania is about to go online with online gambling products, possibly enticing some to make the drive to play online.

There’s still plenty of time in the legislative session to hammer out a deal and it will be interesting to see whether WV can become the fifth US state to regulate online poker and gambling.

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