A bill that has the potential to bring legalized and regulated sports betting to Pennsylvania passed through the House Gaming Oversight Committee yesterday. The catch, however, is that HB 510 is totally dependent on federal sports betting legislation changes. Even if it did reach the legislative stages in Pennsylvania, it would only kick in if and when the federal government makes changes to the existing Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which bans sports betting except in four specific states – and Pennsylvania is not one of them.
“The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall, when Federal law is enacted or repealed or a Federal court decision is filed that affirms the authority of a state to regulate sports wagering, publish a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin certifying the enactment or repeal or the filing of the decision,” is how this condition is set out in the text of HB 510.
Pennsylvania is not blind to the fact that it may not reach a regulated sports betting industry in this way. It has been closely following the case of New Jersey, which has taken practically all the measures to overturn PASPA or exclude itself from this federal law, in the hope of bringing sports betting to the state. Unfortunately, New Jersey has been met by obstacle after obstacle as it fights it legal battles. The case is now at a point where the US Solicitor General is expected to give his opinion on the matter – and this could go either way for New Jersey and any other state such as Pennsylvania where change is desired.
Earlier this year, Pennsylvania Rep. Robert Matzie issued a memorandum, pointing out New Jersey and Pennsylvania’s efforts and chances.
“As you may know, the State of New Jersey has tried, several times, to legalize sports betting. Although their initial attempts were denied, their final appeal was scheduled to be heard by the US Supreme Court on January 17. The Court, however, announced that it would wait until a US Solicitor General was confirmed to weigh in on the issue. This is encouraging, given that President Trump has addressed his stance on the sports betting industry – and his support for legalization – on at least two occasions,” he wrote.
“Our Commonwealth is uniquely positioned to oversee sports betting in all its forms, and should be ready to act should the federal ban be lifted. As evidenced by yet another record setting year of gaming revenues, our licensed facilities are thriving. Legalizing sports betting will simply enable Pennsylvania to regulate a multimillion dollar industry that already exists.”
