Confusion reigns in Pennsylvania legislature over online gambling plans

Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives appeared to have rejected efforts to pass online gambling legislation on Tuesday, only to immediately perform CPR on the bill for further debate at a later date.

After prolonged debate and furious filing of legislative amendments, the House voted 107 to 81 against the omnibus gaming legislation proposed by Rep. John Payne, whose oratory skills failed to sway legislators regarding the need to modernize the state’s gaming laws.

However, a motion to reconsider the vote was immediately filed and was eventually approved by an even larger majority. The contradictory votes reflected the confusion that reigned on the floor regarding a pair of competing amendments, with video gaming terminals (VGT) playing the starring role.

Payne’s original HB 649 legislation was passed over in favor of a proposed amendment to HB 1925, a bill introduced in March to clarify how the state spends its gaming tax revenue. The amendments have yet to be posted online, but according to Payne’s introductory speech, amendment 7619 was the “mirror” of his HB 649 bill.