Pennsylvania casinos asked a court Wednesday to shut down the state’s new iLottery program, arguing the internet-based games simulate slot machines and casino-style gambling in violation of state law.
The complaint against the Revenue Department, which includes the Pennsylvania Lottery, said the iLottery games mimic slot machines found in casinos and online.
“All of the iLottery games feature the same user interface as a slot machine, and have the same interactive appearance, feel and play experience that a player would expect from land-based and online slot machines,” they wrote in a complaint filed in Commonwealth Court.
“These features include graphics, animation, suspenseful music, flashing lights, bells or sounds played when combinations are hit, and similar visual and auditory features.”
The owners of seven Pennsylvania casinos, including Penn National Gaming Inc. and Caesars Entertainment Corp., said the state Gaming Act limits casino games to those who hold a slot machine license and table games certificate.
The casinos argue the iLottery program “is a direct incursion by the state into the exclusive market of the licensed gaming operators.”
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