Pennsylvania House Bill 1636 is seeking to legalize betting on E-Sports
Representative Ed Neilson introduced the bill in the state house
The global E-Sports betting market is worth an estimated $2.5 billion annually
Pennsylvania was among the first states to launch legal and regulated sports betting. The initial bets were placed in the state in 2018.
It's proving to be a very popular investment for the state. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) recently reported that legal gambling revenue for the most recent fiscal year was $6.4 billion. Generating $4.78 billion of that total was sports betting.
However, Democratic legislator Bill Neilson feels that the Keystone State is missing out on some very profitable sports betting markets.
He has introduced
House Bill 1636. The objective of this bill would be to alter that status in a number of ways. One of the changes he is proposing is the legalization of betting on E-Sports in the state.
"Our state has one of the more restrictive definitions of what constitutes a sporting event," Neilson stated in the press release introducing his bill. "For example, E-Sports events, which have become increasingly popular in recent years, are not included in our definitions."
Neilson also pointed out that the state regulatory body, the PGCB, doesn't have the authority to review and approve different types of sporting events. His bill, if approved, would grant this power to the PGCB.
While seeking these changes, Neilson's bill would also guarantee that any new sport added to the state's betting markets would need to adhere to Pennsylvania's regulations on what constitutes a sporting event. It must have an outcome that can be verified, generated by a reliable and independent process, and not affected by any wagers placed. The event must also be conducted in conformity with all applicable laws or regulations.
This is Neilson's second attempt to gain approval for this bill. In 2023, the bill didn't advance beyond the early stages of the legislative process.
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Most US states allow E-Sports betting
Pennsylvania is definitely in the minority when it comes to allowing wagering on E-Sports. The Keystone State is among four US states that have legalized sports betting, but continue to prohibit E-Sports betting.
Delaware, Indiana, and Iowa join Pennsylvania on this short list. Neighboring New Jersey legalized E-Sports betting in 2022.
What are E-Sports?
Neilson's bill defines E-Sports as structured video game competitions where outcomes depend primarily on gamers' skill. E-Sports are events pitting teams of players in competition on popular video games.
These include such games as Call of Duty, Counter-Strike, League of Legends, Dota 2, Fortnite, Valorant, Rocket League, PUBG: Battlegrounds, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.
Also part of the E-Sports realm are sports-themed games such as EA Sports FC, Formula 1, Madden NFL, and NBA 2K.
E-Sports betting is big business
Not only are E-Sports popular, but these events are proving to be quite profitable. Stadium settings are home to major E-Sports competitions, with thousands in attendance watching the action unfold. About 37% of the worldwide E-Sports market exists in North America.
The E-Sports World Cup is currently ongoing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Featuring competition in 25 different E-Sports events, the total prize pool for the E-Sports World Cup is going to exceed $60 million.
Top E-Sports players earn six-figure salaries. The leading teams compete for star players as intensely as any traditional pro sports franchise.
Betting on E-Sports is growing by leaps and bounds. In 2025, around the globe, the assessment of the Esports betting market is that it will be worth $12.66 billion.
In this element, the USA is also prevalent. Statistics show that the United States is creating a vast amount of E-Sports gambling revenue. The betting handle for American E-Sports betting in 2024 was $721.2 million.
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