A lawsuit was recently brought by state-licensed casinos against the Pennsylvania lottery about its online games. A state judge ruled that the iLottery games did not infringe on internet casino products.
Casinos file a collective lawsuit
In 2017, a bill authorized online gambling, sports betting, and video gaming as well as internet lottery games. Pennsylvania lottery went live in 2018 and the following year, seven gambling establishments, including Parx’s PA online casino, filed a lawsuit collectively to contest its interactive gaming products.
The casinos argued that the iLottery games are no different from the casino offerings. They also argued that the features like the random number generators used in casino slot machines are unique to traditional slots but are being used by the Lottery.
The judge rules
Renee Cohn Jubelirer, the State Judge, did not agree with the plaintiffs’ argument, and replied that random number generators are simply a technological advancement that the iLottery has a right to use.
More people have been playing online games during the pandemic and so the amount of money they generate is increasing all the time. Now that US reopening plans are underway, playing online games appears to be as popular as ever and they are continuing to generate huge amounts of money.
iLottery experiencing record play
Drew Svitko, the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Lottery, was please about the judge’s decision but it may not be the end of the matter. The iLottery is bringing in the cash in increasing numbers and the online games are playing a role in this. With restaurants reopening and the country beginning to recover from the pandemic, the contention between the Lottery and the casinos is unlikely to just go away.
Casinos considering appeal
The PA Lottery has over 50 instant win games people available online and people only need to be 18 to start playing. It is easy for them to buy Powerball and Mega Millions tickets online. A recent lucky winner of the Mega Millions jackpot bought a ticket inside a 7-Eleven and has not yet come forward to claim the winnings.
The casinos believe what is happening is unfair, but they now have to decide whether they are going to challenge the judge’s decision or not.
