HARRISBURG - A popular form of legalized gambling in Pennsylvania could someday be the first to go online.
The state Revenue Department is considering the possibility of selling lottery tickets online now that a new interpretation of federal law gives a green light to such avenues.
Responding to inquiries from New York and Illinois officials, the U.S. Department of Justice recently decided that a 50-year-old federal law barring wagers via telecommunications that cross state lines only applies to "a sporting event or contest."
Revenue officials are not rushing to put online sales in effect, however.
"It would certainly be more of a long-term proposition," said department spokeswoman Elizabeth Brassell. "It involves changing lottery law and lottery regulations."
The first task for the department is to weigh the fiscal and social impact of online sales as well as the impact on the network of retailers who sell lottery tickets, she said.
For that, the department is consulting with gaming vendors and the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries, Brassell said.
Any decision regarding online sales will be up to Gov. Tom Corbett.
Outside the revenue department review, there are no signs yet that online gambling is being contemplated for Pennsylvania casinos, bingo parlors or small games of chance operators.
"We are keeping abreast of the issue," said Doug Harbach, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
"No one is actively pushing for it," said Jason Brehouse, executive director for the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee.
The first priority of House GOP lawmakers is to enact a package of bills changing the way the gaming board operates, said Stephen Miskin, spokesman for House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-28, Pittsburgh. That will have to happen first before any extension of gambling is considered, he said.
Rep. Michael Sturla, D-96, Lancaster, who is chairman of the House Minority Policy Committee, voiced doubts that the GOP-controlled Legislature would approve online gambling.