A total of nine Pennsylvania casino operators have opted in for full authority to offer online gambling under their corporate brands.

The nine casinos in the mix include most of the state's largest commercial casino companies, and will net $90 million in licensing fees for state government that will permit them to offer online slots, poker and other casino-style games

Four other operators did not opt in for the full licenses, but may still acquire a more limited igaming license later this summer.

The Meadows Racetrack in Washington County is in the process of being acquired by Penn National and would be able to move forward in the igaming arena under Penn's flag.

Some other firms may not have wanted to offer online poker, which in neighboring New Jersey, has shown to represent just a small fraction of the igaming market.

Operators of the Mohegan Sun, Presque Isle Downs -- currently being acquired by Churchill Downs -- and Lady Luck casinos were the other firms that did not opt in for the full igaming licenses.

They could not be immediately be reached for comment.

Pennsylvania is on track to become the fourth state in this market, joining Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey. But any online games here are still expected to be a few months from launch.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board now has 90 days to approve or deny the igaming petitions received to date. State regulators are also in the midst of approving licenses for the game writers and operators who will actually run the igames for the casinos.

Once that happens, online players will be able to gamble from desktops, laptops tablets or smart phones.

As in New Jersey, Pennsylvania operators will only be ably to offer play to bettors who are physically located in the state, and can prove through identity confirmation software that they are at least 21.

In the other states, the online market has thus far proven to a complement to the overall gambling business, rather than a pillar.

But it is also seen as a growth segment reaching many people who do not routinely frequent land-based casinos at present.

New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement revenue numbers show that through the first six months of this year, online games accounted for $139.5 million in winnings, up about 15 percent from the $121.4 million posted in 2017.

Its share of that state's total gaming pie grew too, from 9.4 percent last year to 11.1 percent this year.