VGT issue derails Pennsylvania online gambling, daily fantasy legislation (again)

Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives has rejected the latest plan to regulate online gambling and daily fantasy sports.

Wednesday’s vote – 79 in favor, 116 opposed – was over Amendment A08621 to HB 2150, the daily fantasy sports legislation introduced earlier this month by Rep. George Dunbar.

The 183-page amendment to HB 2150 was an omnibus of virtually every piece of gaming legislation in the House’s current session, including DFS, Rep. John Payne’s online gambling bill, slot machines in off-track betting sites, slots and tablet gaming in airports and letting the state approve sports betting if the US Congress repeals the federal ban.

But the most contentious component was allowing the state’s roughly 13k liquor licensees (taverns, bars, clubs, VFW halls, etc.) to install up to five video gaming terminals (VGTs) apiece. Of all the speechifying that transpired on the House floor on Wednesday, VGTs were the dominant subject, with the majority of speakers expressing sharp opposition to VGT approval.