As the State of Pennsylvania continues to iron out its regulations pertaining to its new online gambling landscape, one of the topics up for discussion is whether the number of gambling skins that a licensed operator can launch should be limited. This week a letter was sent to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board by two PA lawmakers, urging the authority not to limit the number of skins.
State Representatives Jason Ortitay and Rosita C. Youngblood, prime sponsors of the legislation that will make Pennsylvania the fifth state to introduce a legalized and regulated online gambling market, write in their joint letter: “I am compelled to advise you that there was never an intent to limit the number of skins. To the contrary, the legislation I drafted specifically contemplates “skins” in the context of plural and doesn’t use the word in its singular context.”
The lawmakers say that Pennsylvania should avoid the mistakes of other states who have attempted to impose a limit of one skin per license.
“I urge you to consider the notion that limiting skins would decrease competition and protect only the brands of a few interests,” they write. Ortitay and Youngblood say that Pennsylvania should be looking to increase competition and tax revenue, and improve the quality of interactive gaming products in the state, while at the same time improving customer experience by allowing for multiple skins per license.
The lawmakers point to the example of New Jersey which started off its legallized online gambling market with one skin per license, and then reversed this decision to allow for multiple (up to five skins) per license.
“Since that time, New Jersey’s internet gaming industry has improved,” they write, pointing out that in January 2018, the Garden State’s total internet gaming revenue grew by 16.7% year on year.
According to the authors of the letter, it is essentially critical to implement the policy of multiple skins now as the Supreme Court considers overturning the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA).
“Limiting the number of skins in any regard would be an unconstitutional usurpation of the specific powers and authority of the legislative branch of the Pennsylvania government,” they write.
