on the same page<\/strong> on many topics.<\/p>\nAmong them is a slightly conservative expectation of revenue generated by Pennsylvania\u2019s expanded line of games. Most of these, including sports betting and online gambling, have not launched yet.<\/p>\n
A report from the closed-door meeting indicates that the planned state budget includes a hoped-for $100 million<\/strong> from sports betting and online gambling over the next fiscal year, which begins July 1<\/strong>. In a statement, Wolf called it a \u201cresponsible and bipartisan\u201d plan. He added:<\/p>\n\u201cWe have worked cooperatively over the past few months to find common ground and room for compromise. This budget makes smart investments in education, safety and human services and continues the progress we\u2019ve made to restore fiscal stability to the commonwealth\u2019s finances.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Why are expectations low?<\/span><\/h2>\nThe ante for entering a hand is steep<\/strong> as it is. As such, enough interest would create quite the kitty.<\/p>\nFull online casino licenses, which lets holders offer table games, slots,\u00a0and poker, cost\u00a0$10 million<\/strong> apiece. Licenses to offer only one of the three games would cost $4 million<\/strong> a pop. And sports betting licenses cost $10 million<\/strong> each.<\/p>\nThere are 13 full online casino and sports betting licenses available. That amounts to one for each of the state\u2019s active casinos and one for the planned casino in Philadelphia<\/strong>.<\/p>\nIf all of the licenses sold out, that adds up to more than $250 million<\/strong> alone. The problem, however, is that many casino operators perceive the price tag to be too steep. So far PGCB has not issued any licenses have been issued.\u00a0In the case of online gambling licenses, there are not even any applicants.<\/p>\nEven during the final weekend of May \u2013 two weeks after <\/strong>SCOTUS struck down PASPA to open the door for regulated sports betting \u2013 there was no interest\u00a0in obtaining sports betting licenses.<\/p>\nTiming of sports betting could be the explanation<\/span><\/h2>\nAccording to Online Poker Report<\/strong>, it is unclear if those responsible for creating the budget are omitting some revenue that was planned from licensing in the 2017-18 fiscal year, even if their expectations, including $200 million<\/strong> from online gambling alone, went unmet.<\/p>\nRegardless, the federal sports betting ban was still on the books before New Jersey<\/strong>\u00a0won its SCOTUS case. As such, sports betting licenses would first be included in the budget during the next go-round. Should all of those licenses sell, that would generate $130 million<\/strong> in revenue alone.<\/p>\nPennsylvania has moved forward with its online lottery<\/strong>, which certainly will provide a revenue boost for the state. Yet a somewhat conservative outlook remains for the likes of online gambling and sports betting.<\/p>\n