Pennsylvania lawmakers moved online poker a step closer to reality Wednesday.
The House Gaming Oversight Committee voted 18-8 to advance a bill that would legalize and regulate Internet gambling in Pennsylvania. The measure has to be passed by the full House, then the Senate and be signed by Gov. Tom Wolf to become law.

"Right now, thousands of Pennsylvanians who are playing these games online are at risk for fraud and abuse," said Rep. John Payne, the Dauphin County Republican who chairs the committee and who wrote the bill. "This strong regulatory framework is necessary to protect our children and our citizens and to help shut down black market sites."

Payne's bill would permit state casinos to offer Internet gambling. Players would have to register with the casinos. Anyone younger than 21 would be prohibited from playing. Other safeguards are included to protect players' privacy and to minimize compulsive gambling.
Taxes on Internet gambling would go to the state, local governments and gambling-addiction programs.
The pending bill would permit slot machines at some airports and off-track betting parlors.

Passage of the Internet gambling bill would open the way to address regulating the Daily Fantasy Sports industry in Pennsylvania. Rep. George Dunbar, a Westmoreland County Republican, is drafting a bill that would link daily fantasy sites to existing Pennsylvania casinos.

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