The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has approved the first wave of licenses for Internet-based gambling that likely later this year,will take state sanctioned gambling direct to every person with online access.

The board, following a set of public hearings, approved the certifications for Mount Airy in the Poconos, Parx in Bucks County, and Harrah’s Casino Philadelphia in Chester.

The approval sets the stage for these casinos to begin offering poker, slots, and other simulated casino games to on-line players.

Approvals for eight other casinos wanting to get in on the cyber-games is expected at subsequent meetings in the next two months, setting the stage for a yet-to-be determined statewide launch date.

That would come, board spokesman Doug Harbach said, only after the agency completes background reviews of the sub-contractors running the on-line platforms, signs off on the proposed offerings as being in compliance with rules and regulations, and appropriate test runs have been completed.

The launch will almost certainly not come before the last quarter of this year, Harbach said.

All players would be permitted to place bets only after their identity and location within Pennsylvania has been verified. The online games – as with land-based casinos – are open only to persons age 21 and over.