House Advances Comprehensive Gaming Bill
HARRISBURG – House Gaming Oversight Chairman Rep. John Payne (R-Dauphin) today applauded his House colleagues for once again advancing comprehensive gaming legislation (
House Bill 1887), which would regulate interactive gaming and fantasy sports in Pennsylvania and provide strong protections for consumers, among other reforms.
Specifically, the legislation would authorize the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to issue special licenses to Pennsylvania casinos, permitting the licensee to offer interactive gaming. The bill also includes safeguards to prohibit underage gaming and help minimize compulsive gambling.
“Right now, thousands of Pennsylvanians who are playing these games online are at risk for fraud and abuse. This strong regulatory framework is necessary to protect our children and our citizens and to help shut down black market sites,” Payne said.
Additionally, House Bill 1887 would regulate fantasy sports and allow six international airports in the Commonwealth to place interactive gaming tablets in secured areas (for ticketed passengers only).
“This bill give ticketed passengers who first pass through security the option to use the games to pass time before their flights,” Payne said.
The legislation also includes changes to the local share assessments, which are distributed to counties and municipalities in which a Pennsylvania casino is located. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that the current assessment structure was unconstitutional and must be fixed by Jan. 26, 2017.
“Host municipalities and counties rely on these funds to finance public safety efforts, health and human services, and community development projects,” Payne said. “We could not allow the court-ordered deadline to pass without taking action to ensure these funds continue to flow to our communities.”
The Senate must concur in the House amendments to House Bill 1887 before it can go to the governor’s desk. The Senate is scheduled to be back in voting session on Nov. 16.
Representative John Payne
106th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Abbey Haslam
717.260.6222
ahaslam@pahousegop.com
RepPayne.com