The latest twist in Pennsylvania’s years-long attempt to regulate online gambling surfaced Tuesday when Sen. Joe Scarnati floated the notion of the Pennsylvania State Lottery – rather than Pennsylvania’s land-based casinos – operating online casino and poker games.
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Scarnati’s suggestion may appeal to some. But the likely outcome of such a proposal would be damage to Pennsylvania’s casino industry and diminished revenue for the state, a combination that will ultimately leave Pennsylvania taxpayers holding the bag.