Even though many providers lobby for the tax reduction, such a thing may not happen any time soon. The tax rate for the slots mirrors the one in land-based casino establishments. The tax on online slots is set at 54 %, which is much higher when compared with online poker and table games. When it comes to gross gaming revenue from online poker and table games, it is set to be taxed at 14 %. Every license is valid for a period of 5 years. In other words, those who didn’t apply for the license in the first 90 days lost the chance to get a significant $2 million discount. When sold separately, which is the option that started after 90 days, the permits for the categories cost $4 million each. Online casinos in PA that wish to run poker rooms must always team up with a brick-and-mortar property in the Keystone State. The collective license covered online poker, slots, and table games. In the first 90 days when the licensing period started, initial applicants could apply for a collective online gaming license for $10 million.

The licenses for Internet gaming can be owned by existing casino license holders. The moment the state’s governor signed the bill, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board started accepting license applications from various online gaming providers and sites. It legalizes PA online poker and slots, table games, online lottery, daily fantasy sports, VGTs at truck stops, the construction of satellite casinos, and sports betting. The fact that HB 271 has over 900 pages shows how complex it is. The bill went through many revisions before the Senate passed it. The Senate started debating the bill in the afternoon of October 25, and it passed the bill 109-72 the next day, October 26. The entire process of passing the bill was not simple as it included discussions between the Senate and the Pennsylvania House. The bill's signing was marked as a huge victory for all the gambling advocates that have been working for years under pressure and frustration. A few days later, on October 30, 2017, the PA governor Tom Wolf signed the bill, which became the law. The Pennsylvania state senate passed a gambling expansion bill, HB 271, on October 26, 2017. In other words, it was everything but easy. However, the road on the way to legalization was filled with years of negotiations and discussions.

Is online poker legal in Pennsylvania? The answer is yes. Many poker fans keep asking the same question.

When will pa online casinos launch