Bill Thomas has served as the Democratic Executive Director of the Pennsylvania House Gaming Oversight Committee since 2011. In this role, Bill is responsible for proposing and monitoring legislation and policies regarding Pennsylvania’s gaming industry, including issues relevant to the state’s gaming law, which first passed the General Assembly in 2004.
Bill began his professional career in the West Virginia Legislature, where he served as the Assistant Director of the West Virginia Legislative Reference and Information Office – a nonpartisan, apolitical department of the West Virginia Legislature's Joint Committee on Government and Finance. After six years with the West Virginia Legislature, Bill moved to Harrisburg to accept employment within the Pennsylvania House of Representatives' Democratic Caucus.
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Bill began his professional career in the West Virginia Legislature, where he served as the Assistant Director of the West Virginia Legislative Reference and Information Office – a nonpartisan, apolitical department of the West Virginia Legislature's Joint Committee on Government and Finance. After six years with the West Virginia Legislature, Bill moved to Harrisburg to accept employment within the Pennsylvania House of Representatives' Democratic Caucus.
Mr.Thomas recently attended the GIGSE in San Francisco. GIGSE is one of the top I Gaming conferences in the world. I was honored that he agreed to answer several questions about the conference and online gaming.
1). What was your opinion of the GIGSE? Bill - "I found the GIGSE to be informative. The
technology discussion was of great interest to me. Those conversations, along with where
Pennsylvania is headed with I Gaming were very helpful."
2). How did the GIGSE compare to other gaming conferences you attended? Bill - "The
GIGSE was one of the larger conferences that I ever attended. It included a trade show of
30 to 40 vendors and approximately 400 attendees."
3). The debate between Ed Rendell and Willie Brown was a highlight of the conference. Who sold their position the better of two? Bill - "Governor Rendell had research and facts to support his pro I Gaming stance. He also provided some great one liners. Rendell also had the pro position of the room. Brown was at the disadvantage with the anti I Gaming position and was more emotional in his retorts."
4). What was your goal when you decided to attend? Bill - "My goal was to attend the panel discussions and hear the concerns about I Gaming. We also hosted a table that provided insight about Pennsylvania from a gaming policy standpoint. We also addressed the political reality of where we are currently."
5).Tell the readers 3 things they should know about I Gaming and Pennsylvania?
Bill - "They should know that online gaming is currently taking place in an unregulated and untaxed market. Two, there are many investors that want to invest and do business in Pennsylvania and that will create jobs and opportunities. Third, I Gaming will not impact the land base casino operations that currently exist. Casinos will be able to cross market and promote their games and facilities."
6).Delaware and Nevada have a compact agreement This means they will share players and revenue in online gaming. Do you think they will be successful? Bill: - I think they will be successful. This is a perfect collective opportunity. This is similar to how lotteries such as Powerball and Mega Millions have attracted players in different states."
7). New Jersey registrations for online gaming has increased every month. The win and amount wagered have dropped over the past 3 months. How would you gauged these contrasting variations? Bill - "The increase in players is due to multiple registration at different sites. The drop in revenue could be attributed to the major financial institutions not allowing transactions and limiting the amount of liquidity."
I want to thank Mr.Thomas for his candid answers. I will follow the efforts in Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania House Gaming Oversight Committee in the coming weeks.
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