A new piece of gaming legislation regarding video gaming terminals (VGTs) has been introduced in Pennsylvania by the State Representative Anthony DeLuca. The bill, called HB 469, is focused on authorising a limited number of video gaming terminals located in non-profit clubs on the territory of the state of Pennsylvania.
When writing his co-sponsorhip memoranda in January, Representative DeLuca said that it was of paramount importance for the Commonwealth to be able to find the balance between making an acknowledgement for a mutual benefit of such an arrangement with the industry, to close the revenue gap in the state as well as support the organisations and clubs in Pennsylvania.
According to Mr. DeLuca, shared his utter surety that all these goals could be reached by limiting VGTs to non-profit clubs only under the provisions of the Liquor Code.
Up to date, the bill backed by Representative DeLuca comes as a standalone proposal. However, in case that the new VGTs bill gets enough support in the state’s House of Representatives, it could be presented as part of a larger gaming reform package. Last week HB 392, which has been sponsored by Representative George Dunbar, was officially introduced, so the new HB 469 could complement Dunbar’s bill.
However, if bill HB 469 is passed to the Senate, it could cause a lot of problems related to the future of online gambling and daily fantasy sports legislation on the territory of Pennsylvania.
Actually, the bill supported by Representative Anthony DeLuca is quite similar to the video gaming terminals (VGTs) proposal originating from 2016. The then-presented piece of legislation offered for the revenue to be split between the state, the club and the terminal operator in even parts. Still, there is one major difference between the previous and the current piece of legislation – the new bill would permit only the video gaming terminals located at “clubs” such as VFWs.
VGTs Legislation in Pennsylvania so Far
Also, back in 2016, the House of Representatives passed a gaming reform bill which, if successful, would have made both online gambling and daily fantasy sports legal in the state of Pennsylvania. Quite expectedly, that process was marked with certain issues, with some lawmakers trying to pass an alternative bill which was also aimed at permitting video gaming terminals in social clubs and taverns on the territory of the state.
All this caused some turbulence in the House of Representatives, as lawmakers got confused by the two alternative bills, both of which were voted down as a result. Later, a new vote was initiated, with the House passing the gaming reform package alone and sending it to the State Senate. The VGTs measures were not passed further.
The video gaming terminals piece of legislation got a lot of support despite it failed to pass the House of Representative after a vote of 66 to 122. So, considering this fact, it would not be a big surprise for the VGTs to return to the House for another vote.
- Author
Daniel Williams
