The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), has made it clear that they will accept applications from outside casino operators for gaming licenses through the Qualified Gaming Entity program.
In an effort to bring new operators into Pennsylvania, the PGCB has granted a petition period to operators who do not currently have a Pennsylvania casino to apply to for an igaming licence starting Jan 3.
Qualified Gaming Entities is an operator approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission (QGE). Although they do not currently have a Pennsylvania-based casino, QGE is eligible for any of three untethered igaming certificates.
There are currently 12 certificates left in each of the three categories. The three categories include simulated slots machines, bank tables, simulated casino games, and nonbank table games.
The petition period runs through March 3. This is the second attempt by the PGCB to seek QGEs in order to increase the state’s number of operators.
One operator in 2018 was identified by QGE, but the license wasn’t issued while the application was still being processed. This highlights the time required for any outside licensee.
Prior to the QGE, access to the PA igaming marketplace was restricted to organizations that had a physical presence within the state or with an agreement for commercial market access with brick-and mortar casinos.
There were twelve casinos in 2018 and the PGCB realized not all of them would follow the path of igaming. The regulator instituted the QGE program to widen the market.
After a failed first attempt at expanding the market, regulators have opened another period of untethered internet operators for the growing igaming industry.
PGCB’s most recent monthly revenue reports confirmed that state operators set a new monthly record in November with total turnover of $452.4m.
The PCGB is looking to keep up the momentum of growth as other countries consider expanding online casinos. It could add 12 additional operators via the QGE process.
The statement from the PGCB read, “The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has announced that it will accept petitions from operators of casino businesses primarily in Pennsylvania but who want to apply for approval as Qualified Gaming Entities.”
“Qualified Gaming Entities can obtain any of the three types of igaming certificate that are still available in Pennsylvania and may operate online, without having to have any connection to a Pennsylvania casino.”
