The executive director of the Gaming Control Board of Pennsylvania is warning legislators not to expect a quick revenue influx should the state approve online gaming.
Kevin O’Toole told a state Senate panel that it would take nine months to a year for the state to have the regulations and oversight in place to launch online gaming, assuming the Legislature approved it.
O’Toole also said it would take time to build revenue for online poker as attracting players away from illegal offshore sites would be challenging.
“It’s a gradual process,” he said. “Expectations should not be too high at the roll-out, but you can have a reasonable expectation that it will improve over time.”
Concerns were also raised at the hearing from advocates for problem gambling programs that online gambling would lead to more gambling addiction and problem gamblers.
This hearing was before the State Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee, chaired by state Senator Kim Ward, a sponsor of one of the proposed online gambling bill s in the state.
Ward said there is a significant interest in the state to regulate online gambling, however, she does not expect legislation for gaming to be ready by June 30th, which is the end of the fiscal year in Pennsylvania and the deadline for the 2016 budget.
