宾夕法尼亚州将推进在线扑克和在线赌场合法化(2)

　　译文：

　　PENNSYLVANIA NEXT TO LEGALIZE ONLINE POKER AND ONLINE CASINOS

　　The next US state that might decide to legalize online poker and online casino games could be Pennsylvania after State Representative Tina Davis explained that she's about to introduce a new online gambling legalization bill.

　　Pennsylvania State Representative Tina Davis explained that she's about to introduce a new bill that proposes to legalize online poker and certain online casino games in the near future. She pointed out that the bill in question has already been in preparation since last year.

　　Representative Davis explained that Pennsylvania is at this moment the second largest provider of land-based casino gaming services in the US after having taken over New Jersey's place. As such, Davis believes that Pennsylvania should also become an important state in regards to online gambling.

　　The new bill is expected to be introduced sometimes during the next week. In order for the bill to be approved, Davis will have to convince her fellow Representatives of the advantages of legal online gambling. This could be a not so easy task considering that the Pennsylvanian House of Representatives is dominated by Republicans.

　　If the bill would be adopted, then Pennsylvanian land based casinos would have the opportunity to apply for an online poker and online casino license. It appears that standalone online gaming sites will not be permitted to receive a license unless they team up with a legit Pennsylvanian land-based casino.

　　At this moment the bill only proposes to legalize online poker and online blackjack. Davis explained that these games were chosen because it was determined that they are very popular. Other games, such as slots, will not be legalized in order to maintain the attractiveness of land-based casinos.

　　In order to play at such online casinos players would have to prove their identities first by registering in person at the land-based office of the casino of their choice. This measure would be in place to prevent minors from engaging in online gambling activities. Likewise, online casinos will not be allowed to offer credits to their players.

　　Davis explained that "There is an urgency to get this done, but I am not naive to believe that it will happen overnight." In case the bill will be adopted, then Pennsylvania might become the second or third US state to legalize online poker - depending on when New Jersey finally implements its own online gaming law.