Pennsylvania Lottery and State Casinos Remain at Odds Over Games

Posted on: August 21, 2018, 04:30h. 

Last updated on: August 21, 2018, 02:08h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More

Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

The Pennsylvania Lottery debuted Xpress Football and Xpress Car Racing last week, and the two new games based on the outcomes of simulated sporting events have the state’s 13 licensed commercial casino operators up in arms.

Xpress Football is a random drawing game that reveals the outcome of a simulated football drive that begins inside the 20-yard line. Players win if they correctly predict (guess) the result of the drive (touchdown run, touchdown pass, turnover, or field goal) and on the specific play.

Xpress Car Racing is also a random drawing, and simulates a two-lap automobile race between 12 cars. Players must pick the car number to cross the finish line first in order to win. Prize payouts increase if the gambler additionally selects the second and third-place finishers.

A $1 bet comes with a max prize of $250, but payouts vary based on the specific teams playing in the simulation and where the drive begins.

Casinos Cry Wolf

Governor Tom Wolf (D) signed a massive gambling expansion package into law last fall that the Republican General Assembly authored in order to grow tax revenue for an underfunded state budget. Along with satellite casinos, online gambling, daily fantasy sports, sports betting, truck stop slot machines, and airport gaming terminals, the bill granted the lottery to operate internet games.

The Pennsylvania iLottery went live in May, and state casinos were quick to declare the interactive games of violating state laws.

The Pennsylvania Casino Gaming Coalition – made up of the 13 licensed operators – said many of the online lottery games more closely resembled slot machines, which are reserved for the commercial casinos.

“The games essentially have the same backbone as a slot machine; an outcome that is determined by a random number generator with animated graphics and computer operations used to provide a visual depiction of that outcome,” the casinos declared.

The coalition is also opposed to the Lottery’s Xpress Sports titles. In an email to Play Pennsylvania, coalition spokesman David La Torre said, “The Pennsylvania Lottery’s new games combines elements of online casino games, sports betting and slot machines — areas that are legislatively restricted to the commonwealth’s casino operators. We will continue to oppose their illegal attempts to cannibalize the state’s casino industry.”

Lottery Seeks Bars, Clubs

The Xpress Sports lottery games can be played in many more places than just gas stations and grocery stores. Lottery sales in the Keystone State have expanded to restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

PA Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko is telling players across the commonwealth to encourage such establishments to become retailers for the new sports games.

“We’re continuing to add new monitors at stores, bars, clubs and restaurants,” Svitko stated in a release. “If you don’t see these games offered at your favorite stop or hang-out, encourage the business to apply to become a Lottery retailer.”

The Pennsylvania Lottery isn’t the only state lotto that’s received criticism recently for mimicking casino-style games. New Jersey politician Vince Mazzeo (D), who represents Atlantic County in the state legislature, has called for a ban on the NJ Lottery’s “Quick Draw” Keno game that runs every five minutes. Mazzeo says the fast-paced repetitive nature of the game stimulates slot machines.