HB 271 — The Pennsylvania Gambling Expansion Act
House Bill 271 was signed by Governor Tom Wolf on October 30, 2017. It expanded the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act to authorize sports wagering, online casino, fantasy contests, and video gaming terminals at truck stops.
- Effective Date
- Signed October 30, 2017; activated by PASPA repeal May 14, 2018
- Citation
- 4 Pa.C.S. §§ 13B01–13B62
Overview
HB 271 set the licensing structure (a $10 million initial fee, $250,000 renewal every five years), the 36% effective tax rate (34% state + 2% local share), and gave authority to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). Sports wagering became legal once PASPA was struck down by the Supreme Court in May 2018.
Historical Context
HB 271 was passed 14 months before the Supreme Court struck down PASPA (Murphy v. NCAA) in May 2018. PA was one of only a handful of states with pre-PASPA enabling legislation ready to activate the moment PASPA fell. This positioned PA to launch retail sports betting on November 17, 2018 — only six months after PASPA's repeal — making it the eighth US state to offer legal sports betting.
Practical Impact for PA Bettors
Every aspect of legal PA sports betting flows from HB 271: the $10 million license fee (the highest in the US), the 36% tax rate (also among the highest), the requirement that online operators partner with a licensed PA casino, and the creation of the PGCB-administered self-exclusion program. The framework has not been substantively amended since enactment.
How PA Compares to Other States
Compared to neighboring states: NJ has a 14.25% online sports tax rate (vs PA's 36%); NY has 51%; OH has 20%; MD has 15%. PA's license fee ($10M) is also higher than NJ ($100K), MD ($1M-$5M), and most other states. The combination favors established casino operators and limits operator entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who signed HB 271?
Governor Tom Wolf signed HB 271 on October 30, 2017, ahead of the PASPA repeal in May 2018.
What does HB 271 cover beyond sports betting?
HB 271 also legalized online casino (iCasino), online poker, daily fantasy sports, and video gaming terminals at truck stops.
Has HB 271 been amended?
The framework has not been substantively amended since 2017. Tax-rate-reduction debates surface periodically but have not advanced.
Where can I read HB 271?
The codified text is 4 Pa.C.S. §§ 13B01-13B62, available through the Pennsylvania General Assembly's online statute database.
Related Reading
This is one part of the broader Pennsylvania legal framework for sports betting. Browse the complete PA betting laws guide, or jump to our responsible gambling resources for player-protection tools.