A bill has been introduced in the Pennsylvania state Senate that would authorize self-service sports betting kiosks in bars and taverns.
Senate Bill 843, sponsored by Senator Wayne Fontana of Pittsburgh, would authorize current slot licensees to purchase certificates to place terminals in a tavern.
“Slot machine licensees will be required to purchase a tavern sports wagering certificate to conduct sports wagering in a tavern, said Fontana in a May memo to colleagues, according to the PennBets news site. “The tavern will receive 25 percent of the gross terminal revenue from each kiosk located on the premises, with the casino receiving the other 75 percent. I believe this proposal will help bolster both state revenue and the incomes of these small businesses struggling as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.”
Casinos that conduct sports wagering would be required to pay a $10,000 fee for the certificate to place the kiosks in taverns. They would enter into a “terminal placement agreement” with any participating tavern, and the tavern would receive a $100 monthly siting fee from the casino. The bill states no cap on the number of kiosks.
The bill was referred to the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee, of which Fontana is a member. It is unlikely the bill will see movement during the current legislative session.
