Casinos In Pa. Asking Federal Court To Shut Down iLottery
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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Seven Pennsylvania casinos have filed a lawsuit against the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, asking the court to put a stop to the new iLottery program.
The Meadows Casino Racetrack Hotel is one of the seven casinos bringing this lawsuit. The Rivers Casino is not one of them. The other six are Parx Casino, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, Harrah's Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack, Stadium Casino, Valley Forge Casino Resort, and Mohegan Sun Pocono.
The complaint filed Wednesday against the Revenue Department says the iLottery games look, sound and play like slot machines that are found in casinos and online.
The casinos say the Gaming Act limits casino games to those who hold a slot machine license and table games certificate. A law passed in 2017, called Act 42, gave those who hold a slot machine license the exclusive right to conduct interactive gaming. Casinos must apply for an interactive gaming certificate and pay a 10-million dollar fee. The casinos claim the Department of Revenue, which oversees the Pennsylvania Lottery, is violating Act 42 as well as some other regulations by offering the internet games that simulate slot machines and casino-style games.
David LaTorre, the spokesperson for the coalition of casinos who filed suit, spoke to KDKA by phone. "These casino-style lottery games are illegal. To make matters worse, the PA Lottery is promoting casino-style gambling to teenagers. PA Casinos must follow very stringent regulations on underage gaming or face millions of dollars in fines. Meanwhile, the Lottery is openly violating the law and marketing these games to anyone as young as 18," said La Torre.
KDKA reached out to the Pennsylvania Lottery for comment.
Spokesperson Gary Miller issued this statement: "We have not had an opportunity to review the lawsuit. It is important to note that act 42 authorized the lottery's new games, which are part of an effort to continue delivering to our customers games that they want and where they want while generating the additional funds to stabilize the lottery fund and provide vital services to older Pennsylvanians."
The casinos say the iLottery games allow players who are 18 years old, but casinos can't let anyone gamble under age 21. They say they've spent vast sums on licenses and facilities.
The state began iLottery games in May, with prizes up to $250,000.
