w bill seeking to legalise online gambling in Pennsylvania has been introduced.

SB 900, which is the first Pennsylvania online gambling bill to originate in the state Senate, is sponsored by Senator Kim Ward.

The bill outlines that internet gambling permit holders would pay a tax on daily gross facility gaming revenue at a rate of 54% of their gross internet gaming revenue.

Internet gaming permits will only be granted to companies that already hold a table games licence and a slot machine licence.

In the official document detailing the terms of the bill, the General Assembly declared: “Since the development of the internet, millions of people have chosen to gamble online through illegal off-shore operators without regulatory oversight or consumer protections.

“An effective state internet gaming statute would provide public trust in internet gaming, ensure that internet games are fair and safe and strictly regulate the conduct of internet gaming in this Commonwealth.”

Successful applicants would be required to pay a permit fee of $10m within 60 days of being granted approval.