In a surprising development that came together quickly this week, the Pennsylvania House Gaming Oversight Committee passed Internet gaming bill HB 649 Wednesday by a vote of 18-8. It's a small step, but the most significant one made by online poker at the legislative level since New Jersey legalized iGaming in 2013.
This committee passage is much different than the one in California earlier this year, which was only done as a procedural move so that the bill could remain on the table for the rest of the session. Rep. John Payne, who sponsored the bill and chairs the committee, is making a real attempt to move iGaming forward in Pennsylvania.