Pennsylvania state Senator Nick Kotik says he plans to introduce a bill in the state legislature that would legalize sports betting in the state’s licensed casinos.
Kotik’s bill would create an exemption in the state law that prevents wagers on professional and amateur athletic events in Pennsylvania for casinos.
However, federal law still bans betting on sports in the state.
Kotik did not directly address that, but the bill may be an attempt to offer sports betting should the ban change, or if neighboring New Jersey wins a court case to allow sports betting.
Kotick did say that sports betting already is happening in the state, though illegally, and it should be regulated.
“The intent of this legislation is to provide our casinos with an alternative form of entertainment, while also regulating a popular market,” Kotick said in a statement.
Kotik is the Democratic chairman of the state’s House Gaming Oversight Committee. He has also proposed a bill to allow slot machines at the state’s airports.
