HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Pennsylvania House is sending a just-unveiled plan to expand casino-style gambling to truck stops, online portals, airports and 10 new mini-casino sites to the desk of Gov. Tom Wolf.
The chamber approved it 109-72 on Thursday, as lawmakers hope to squeeze a couple hundred million more from license fees and gambling losses to help stitch together Pennsylvania’s deficit-riddled finances.
The 470-page bill became public Wednesday evening and is packed with pet provisions for certain casinos or lawmakers. It quickly won Senate approval and House GOP majority leaders support it, although Wolf isn’t saying whether he backs it. Opponents warn it’ll cause an “explosion” of gambling and that it has numerous unforeseen consequences.
Pennsylvania is already the No. 2 commercial casino state, netting $1.4 billion in taxes from the industry last year.
It would make Pennsylvania the first state to allow both casino and lottery games online.
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