HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – A Pennsylvania state House committee is advancing legislation that would authorize the third major gambling expansion in six years, including allowing Internet-based gambling through the state’s casinos and slot machines at airports and off-track betting parlors.
The House Gaming Oversight Committee voted 18 to 8 on Wednesday. The bill’s ultimate fate remains uncertain.
Under the bill, casinos wanting to start Internet gambling portals would have to pay a one-time license fee of $8 million. The state would impose a 14 percent tax on profits for the state treasury and another 2 percent tax for local economic development or civic improvement projects.
Meanwhile, the bill would allow slot machines at off-track horse-racing betting parlors at least 50 miles from a casino and at the state’s six international airports.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.
