Based on the sentiment coming out of several states thus far in 2017, there hasn't been much optimism in terms of iGaming regulation.
One major exception to that trend is Pennsylvania.
According to an article at CDC Gaming Reports, the Chairman of a major gambling legislative committee now foresees iGaming legislation passing by early spring, giving hope that legal online poker in the United States will expand to a fourth state in 2017.
Something Will Be Passed in March Says PA Senator
State Senator Mario Scavello, the Chairman of the Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee, told CDC Gaming Reports that iGaming legislation will pass in the state and soon.
According to Scavello, “Sometime in March, we’ll have something done and passed in the House and Senate."
He also stated, “It looks like online gaming has the support to pass. We can look at other expansions.”
Scavello didn't specify details on his prediction but fellow Senator Jay Costa has already released a memo detailing his plans to file new iGaming legislation in the near future.
Scavello Opinion Not a Slam Dunk - But Extremely Encouraging
Normally when we hear a pro-iGaming stance from a legislator, we take it with a grain of salt due to the expectedly positive spin that they must take.
However, Scavello's opinion on the matter should be given extra weight due to the aforementioned fact his is the Chair of the CERD Committee.
This committee is the legislative committee that is vehicle for all gambling legislation in the state. Such an opinion doesn't necessarily mean that iGaming legislation is a sure thing, but it is reason to become optimistic.
Scavello believes that the votes exist in both chambers to get the bill through and it is unlikely he would make such a bold statement if that weren't the case.
Passage is Just the First Step
While not something iGaming supporters want to hear, the passage of iGaming legislation doesn't mean that legal online poker is just around the corner. After passage several steps need to take place before sites can start to accept wagers.
First, regulations have to be drafted and adopted. Once that happens, the licensing process begins for operators and vendors. Finally, the testing phase must occur before launches actually begin.
Let's say that iGaming legislation is passed in March as Scavello expects. Chances are that regulations will take anywhere from 60-120 days to draft and ratify.
Odds are that licenses will begin to be processed soon after legislation is drafted and then once regulations are ratified, the process of approving and issuing licenses begins.
Figure that process to continue sometime until September. Then companies have to set up shop, design and test software and whatever else that regulators require of them prior to any type of soft launch period.
If the state does similar to New Jersey, we are probably looking at a November or December launch at the earliest.
However, a more realistic timeline is probably Spring 2018. As such, it may be up to another year before players can wager legally online in Pennsylvania and that's assuming a bill passes.
Once online poker legislation is passed in California we can expect a similar sort of time frame.