Clicky

Pa. Advances Bill That Would Prohibit Truck Stop Gambling - PennsylvaniaCasinos.com News : PennsylvaniaCasinos.com News
truck-stop
Published on
Update on

A recent bill introduced in the Keystone Stone state seeks to give counties in the state the power to opt out of offering video gaming terminals (VGTs) at the truck stops within their jurisdictions. From the looks of it, the bill might actually make become a law as it has recently even advanced through a Senate committee.

Introduced by Senator Scott Martin (R-Lancaster Country) at the beginning of the year, Senate Bill 87 will allow the counties to choose whether or not they want to have the video gaming terminals within their jurisdictions – this has been one of the more controversial aspects of the state’s gambling industry since the gambling expansion bill was passed by Governor Tom Wolf back in October 2017. The Pennsylvania Senate Community, Economic, and Recreational Development Committee backed SB 87 this week and we should expect a Senate vote to come as early as next month.

As it turns out, while the state’s massive gambling expansion package that authorized satellite casinos, online gambling, sports betting, airport gaming lounges, and gambling terminals at truck stops gave the counties the liberty to opt of the mini-casinos if they wished to do so, it did not offer them the same options when it came to truck stop gambling.

More of Truck Stop Gambling in Pennsylvania

Video gaming terminals (VGTs) are very similar to slot machines – the state’s laws define the devices as terminals that are “available to play or operate one or more gambling games, the play of which utilizes a random number generator”. They usually have a maximum payout of $1,000.

Over the last several months, truck stops across the state have been submitting plans and proposals to alter their gaming facilities in a bid to meet the requirements set by the state with regards to the places that are meant to host the devices. Some of the requirements that the truck stop locations include:

  • The must sell no less than 50,000 gallons of fuel each and every month.
  • They must have at least 20 parking spaces for commercial vehicles.
  • Each of them must be a Pennsylvania Lottery retailer.
  • They must be located on properties measuring no less than three acres.

Once approved, each of these locations will be given the green light to host up to five video game terminals.

About a month ago, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board approved the first batch of licenses. These five licenses are spread throughout Central and Western Pennsylvania with more expected to join in soon.

Latest Headlines

Will Pennsylvania Be the Next Esports Betting Hotspot?

Pennsylvania could soon become the latest U.S. state to embrace esports betting, thanks to a newly proposed bill aimed at expanding the state’s regulated wagering market. State Representative Ed Neilson has introduced House Bill 1636, a legislative push that seeks to amend Pennsylvania’s 2017 Gaming Expansion Act to include esports betting. This is Neilson’s second […]

Pennsylvania Casinos Set for Modernization as Slot Machine Requirements Face Major Overhaul

Pennsylvania’s gaming industry is on the verge of a significant shift as Senate Bill 840 moves closer to becoming law. The bill, which recently passed in the state Senate, proposes reducing the mandatory minimum number of slot machines at Category 1 and 2 casinos from 1,500 to 1,000, offering operators much-needed flexibility to stay competitive […]

PA’s Skill Game Controversy Heats Up with Hundreds of Machines Removed

As it turns out, March was a big month for Pennsylvania’s gambling scene, but not for the usual reasons. Instead of new online casino launches or sportsbook promotions, the spotlight turned to a statewide crackdown on illegal gambling devices. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police, spearheaded a coordinated sweep […]

New Fanatics Casino App Now Live in Pennsylvania

Fanatics, best known for its sports merchandise empire, has officially launched its standalone online casino app for Pennsylvania players. The new platform allows direct access to casino games without needing to go through the Fanatics Sportsbook, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion into the Keystone State’s growing iGaming market. While the web version […]

WSOP Online Breaks New Ground with Four-State Network

The WSOP Online platform, operated by Caesars Entertainment, Inc., has broken new ground in the regulated US poker business by bringing together players from four different states. Now that Pennsylvania has joined Nevada, New Jersey, and Michigan in providing a common player pool across all four states, Caesars has positioned WSOP Online as the only site […]

Similar Stories in Gambling

Will Pennsylvania Be the Next Esports Betting Hotspot?

Pennsylvania could soon become the latest U.S. state to embrace esports betting, thanks to a newly proposed bill aimed at expanding the state’s regulated wagering market. State Representative Ed Neilson has introduced House Bill 1636, a legislative push that seeks to amend Pennsylvania’s 2017 Gaming Expansion Act to include esports betting. This is Neilson’s second […]

Pennsylvania Casinos Set for Modernization as Slot Machine Requirements Face Major Overhaul

Pennsylvania’s gaming industry is on the verge of a significant shift as Senate Bill 840 moves closer to becoming law. The bill, which recently passed in the state Senate, proposes reducing the mandatory minimum number of slot machines at Category 1 and 2 casinos from 1,500 to 1,000, offering operators much-needed flexibility to stay competitive […]

PA’s Skill Game Controversy Heats Up with Hundreds of Machines Removed

As it turns out, March was a big month for Pennsylvania’s gambling scene, but not for the usual reasons. Instead of new online casino launches or sportsbook promotions, the spotlight turned to a statewide crackdown on illegal gambling devices. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police, spearheaded a coordinated sweep […]

New Fanatics Casino App Now Live in Pennsylvania

Fanatics, best known for its sports merchandise empire, has officially launched its standalone online casino app for Pennsylvania players. The new platform allows direct access to casino games without needing to go through the Fanatics Sportsbook, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion into the Keystone State’s growing iGaming market. While the web version […]