HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced yesterday that it has notified casino license holders that they can begin submission of petitions requesting approval to conduct sports wagering.

The announcement follows the May 14, 2018 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court striking down a federal ban on sports wagering through the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, and the Board’s action at its public meeting yesterday to pass the first in a series of temporary regulations for sports wagering. These temporary regulations are available on the Board web site, www.gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov.

The Board expects to approve additional regulations at its upcoming meetings. A schedule of those meetings is also available on the website.

Under the provisions of the Act 42 of 2017, upon authorization by the Board, a sports wagering certificate holder may only be permitted to conduct sports wagering at a licensed facility; at a temporary facility for up to 18 months; in the case of a Category 1 racetrack casino, in a non-primary location in which it conducts pari-mutuel wagering; or, through an Internet-based system.

“The actions taken by the Board are the first in our efforts to launch sports wagering in Pennsylvania as soon as possible,” said the Board’s Executive Director Kevin O’Toole. “In the coming months, we expect to regularly ask the Board for approval of additional temporary regulations that will move us toward a launch of this new gaming initiative.”

Additional information about both the PGCB’s gaming regulatory efforts and Pennsylvania’s gaming industry can be found at gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov. You can also follow the agency on Twitter by choosing @PAGamingControl.