Pennsylvania senators to introduce Internet gambling bill

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Republican state senators in Pennsylvania are preparing to introduce legislation to allow Internet gambling.

The forthcoming bill was advertised Wednesday by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati and three other Republicans.

Their memo to fellow senators says the bill would allow existing Pennsylvania casinos to offer Internet gambling. Players must be in the state and have a registered account.

New Jersey, Delaware and Nevada allow Internet gambling.

A Scarnati spokesman says the bill promises hundreds of millions of dollars for the state treasury, with the help of other provisions that let casinos expand traditional gambling offerings.

Gov. Tom Wolf's office says the Democrat is open to discussing Internet gambling legislation, but he doesn't view new gambling revenue as a replacement for higher taxes he's seeking to close a massive projected budget deficit.