Gaming board approves temporary regulations regarding sports betting

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board recently announced its approval of temporary regulations that will preempt the nationwide legalization of sports betting.

State Rep. Rob Matzie (D-Beaver/Allegheny) commended the move, which he urged the board to swiftly make in a May 16 letter.

“I applaud the gaming board’s swift action,” Matzie said. “We called on the board just two weeks ago to act as quickly as possible in approving temporary regulations so the state could take advantage of legislation already in place. This was the intent of my letter: get the ball rolling sooner rather than later, so that the commonwealth can benefit from this billion-dollar industry. The board heard us and rose to the occasion.”

The U.S. Supreme Court made a landmark ruling earlier this month clearing the way for states to offer sports betting. For Pennsylvania, Matzie worked last year to set up the commonwealth in a competitive position to offer such gaming services by introducing language from his sports-betting bill into gaming legislation signed by the governor.

Matzie warned the gaming board in his letter that neighboring states New Jersey, New York, West Virginia, and Delaware were already in the process of offering sports betting available. While additional regulations will be needed, Matzie said the board’s quick action will allow the state’s casinos to start applying for sports betting licenses.

“Thanks to the board’s speedy action today, we’re on the road to ensuring that this tremendous source of revenue stays here in the commonwealth, where it belongs,” he said.