Pennsylvania’s 12 licensed igaming operators will be able to go live with their products by July 15th, 2019. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board said that the launch of online gambling will be a coordinated one in order to create a level playing field. The authority wants to “provide similar market access, to the extent possible, to certificate holders and operators,” according to the executive director of the gaming board, Kevin F. O’Toole.
In 2017, Pennsylvania introduced sweeping new gambling rules that opened the door to legal and regulated online gaming in the state. Operators were given the opportunity to purchase licenses to offer online slots, casino games and/or poker. The majority of operators paid $10 million to obtain all three internet gaming licenses.
In a letter sent to the industry late last week, headed “Timeframe for iGaming for Pennsylvania”, O’Toole wrote: “A successful coordinated launch is possible if the igaming certificate holders and their operators have submitted their game platforms for testing and if igaming manufacturers have submitted adequate game content to support the industry.”
The authority said that it has granted interactive gaming certificates to 10 out of Pennsylvania’s 13 land-based casinos, authorizing them to participate in online poker, online slots and/or online table games.
“The Board is providing notice that it has identified the week of July 15, 2019 as the projected go-live implementation timeframe for igaming,” said the authority, adding that that timeframe would provide approximately 90 days from that date for certificate holders and operators to fulfill their duties and submit materials to the Board’s laboratory and to obtain all the necessary certifications to operate igaming in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania’s 12 operating casinos, with a 13th on the way, take in on average $3.25 billion in annual revenue. While igaming obviously won’t bring in the same amount, it will definitely bring in substantial funds since it is an industry that appeals to younger adults.
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board spokesman, Doug Harbach, said:”Everyone’s excited on the gaming board about being at this point now, where these games that were approved well over a year ago by legislation are now on the precipice of beginning.”
