FILE - This Oct. 4, 2011 file photo shows an online poker player playing a game during industry's G2E conference, in Las Vegas. The nation’s gambling capital is taking steps to make sure it is not dealt out of the lucrative online poker market as more states enter the bourgeoning industry. Sometime after the Nevada Legislature begins its four-month session on Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, lawmakers are expected to begin debating a bill that would let companies offering online poker in Nevada accept wagers from players in other states.  (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)

 

HARRISBURG, PA. -Republican state senators in Pennsylvania are preparing to introduce legislation to allow Internet gambling.

The forthcoming bill was advertised Wednesday by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati and three other Republicans.

Their memo to fellow senators says the bill would allow existing Pennsylvania casinos to offer Internet gambling. Players must be in the state and have a registered account.

New Jersey, Delaware and Nevada allow Internet gambling.

A Scarnati spokesman says the bill promises hundreds of millions of dollars for the state treasury, with the help of other provisions that let casinos expand traditional gambling offerings.

Gov. Tom Wolf’s office says the Democrat is open to discussing Internet gambling legislation, but he doesn’t view new gambling revenue as a replacement for higher taxes he’s seeking to close a massive projected budget deficit.