Gaming Committee Votes to Update Small Games of Chance Act
Gaming Committee Votes to Update Small Games of Chance Act
The House Gaming Oversight Committee, which I chair, passed legislation that would make changes to Pennsylvania’s Small Games of Chance Act.
Small games of chance are games such as pull tabs, punch boards or daily drawings, which many volunteer emergency services companies, fraternal and veterans associations, and religious organizations offer to raise money for the promotion of their charitable and civic purposes.
While the General Assembly has made recent changes to the act in previous sessions, it was revealed through several of our informational hearings that additional changes are needed to provide our nonprofits with the tools necessary to raise funds for charitable purposes.
If enacted,
House Bill 1313 would do the following:
• Eliminate the weekly total prize limit imposed on licensed eligible organizations.
• Permit eligible organizations that are not club licensees to operate vertical wheel games, poker runs, three new variations of pull tabs and coin auctions.
• Allow the purchase of three-year games of chance licenses.
• Simplify the license renewal process for eligible organizations, among other changes.
By removing the $35,000 weekly prize limit, our nonprofits could continue to raise charitable funds every day of the week as long as prizes for the individual small games are not exceeded.
The new games will provide nonprofits with additional options to help them raise revenue for charitable purposes.
House Bill 1313 was later approved by the full House of Representatives and is awaiting consideration by the Senate.
Entries Sought for Alcohol Awareness Poster Contest
To help prevent underage drinking and raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol, I would like to encourage students in kindergarten through 12th grade attending a public or private school in the 106th District to consider participating in the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s (PLCB) annual poster contest.
Posters will be judged on positive messaging and presentation, with consideration given to the student’s grade level.
Entries are due to the PLCB office by Nov. 18. More information, including eligibility information and guidelines, is available at
lcb.state.pa.us.