Pennsylvania Casinos Line Up for Online Gambling License Applications

Nine of Pennsylvania’s 13 licensed casinos have filed applications to receive online gambling licenses ahead of the deadline to receive a discounted application price. It’s a good sign that the Keystone State’s embryonic online gambling industry could grow into something really massive once it’s up and running.
According to a report from the Associated Press, Live! Hotel & Casino; Parx Casino; Mount Airy; Sands Bethlehem; Hollywood Casino; Valley Forge; Harrah’s Philadelphia; Rivers Casino; and the SugarHouse all submitted their applications ahead of Monday’s deadline.
That’s a big deal only in the fact that operators who submitted before Monday were able to have their applications processed for the low, low price of $10 million. Pennsylvania’s remaining four licensed operators can still throw their hats in the ring if they do so within the next 30 days – but they’ll be paying $13 million.
Our colleagues at CalvinAyre.com have pointed out, and sharp-eyed industry watchers probably noticed, that the Shel Adelson-associated Sands Bethlehem is on the list of digital contenders. While Adelson retain his distaste for online gambling, he has not retained the Sand Bethlehem, which he sold earlier this year to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
Pennsylvania is the fourth US State to offer regulated online gambling, joining Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware. Like its cohorts, Pennsylvania is looking to boost its lagging state treasury with a boost of sweet, sweet gambling revenue. Pennsylvania is already the nation’s second leading gambling market, falling behind only the juggernaut of regulated gambling, Nevada.
Pennsylvania will be offering online slots, table games, and poker.