Three Pennsylvanian Casinos Win Online Gambling Licenses

Last Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), announced that it had approved the online gambling licenses to three of the casinos that had applied for them a short while back. The three operators that were awarded Interactive Gaming Certificates by the PGCB are Chester Downs and Marina LLC, operator of Harrah’s Philadelphia, as well as Parx Casino operator Greenwood Gaming & Entertainment Inc. and Mount Airy #1 LLC, operator of the Mount Airy Resort Casino.

All three casinos will now be able to offer online poker, online slot machines, as well as online table games and they are already preparing for these. Mount Airy, for instance, has already partnered with PokerStars in a bid to strengthen its poker presence in the state – the casino also happens to have a deal that dates back to 2015 with 888 still in place.

Parx, on the other hand, has inked a partnership deal with GAN, while Harrah’s is anticipated to forge a partnership deal with 888 since Caesars, its parent company, has deals with 888 in New Jersey – where it also recently launched sports betting –  and Nevada with WSOP.com. Both 888 and Caesar will certainly be looking to grow their interstate poker network and their best shot at doing this is by keeping the ball rolling as they venture into the Keystone State’s online gambling market.

“Once it’s up and running, anyone can establish an account online,” PGCB spokesman Doug Harbach commented. “They can do it in the casino, but they can also establish an account online and they can participate in any casino game – table games, slots and even peer-to-peer poker.”

Once the games go live, the services will only be available to those 21 years or older residing within the state’s boundaries. Still, no official date has been set for the launch of online gambling in Pennsylvania. Hopefully, this will be addressed during the next PGCB meetings.

Penn National Becomes the First to Apply for Sports Betting License

Pennsylvania’s gaming community also received some more exciting news after Penn National, the owners of Hollywood Casino announced that they had applied for the $10 million sports betting license and would be partnering with William Hill US for the venture.

“Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course today formally applied for a license to conduct sports wagering at our facility. We believe this will provide us another attractive amenity at Hollywood Casino, in addition to our full suite of the latest slot machines, table games, multiple dining outlets, exciting live racing and soon to be online gaming offerings. Our plan is to locate our sports book in a newly renovated simulcast theater area at Hollywood Casino and the operations will be managed by William Hill US, the largest sports betting operator in the United States. Operations are expected to begin later this Fall upon final approval by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board,” Penn National Vice President Fred Lipkin elaborated.

More of the state’s casinos are expected to follow suit in the coming weeks or even days.