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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
04/19/2024 04:09 AM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=19769
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House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: March 1, 2016 10:27 AM
From: Representative John D. Payne
To: All House members
Subject: Small Games of Chance Oversight to PA Gaming Control Board
 
In the near future, I will be introducing legislation to transfer the Department of Revenue’s responsibilities under the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to the Gaming Control Board. Additionally, my legislation will provide the Board with the authority to approve new small games that fall within certain statutory parameters, thus eliminating the need for the General Assembly to pass legislation whenever a new small game is created.

The SGOC Act currently provides the Department of Revenue with administrative responsibilities that are not within the scope of the Department’s purpose, which is the collection of taxes. While it may have been necessary to provide the Department with these responsibilities when the SGOC Act was originally signed into law, the Gaming Control Board is currently the Commonwealth’s chief regulatory body for gambling. For this reason, I believe it is time transfer the Department’s functions to the Board, which are:
  • Registering small games manufacturers and licensing small games distributors;
  • Reviewing and approving small games;
  • Receiving reports from clubs regarding small games proceeds;
  • Performing random audits of clubs; and
  • Promulgating regulations regarding the manufacture of small games, recordkeeping requirements and reporting requirements.

Furthermore, my legislation will allow registered small games manufacturers to apply to the Board for approval of new small games. The cost for approval will be paid for by the manufacturer, and the board may only approve the game if the game meets the following requirements:
  • The game is designed to raise funds for public interest purposes;
  • The maximum cost for an individual to play the game is $10;
  • The game does not utilize any mechanical or electrical device, other than a dispensing machine or a passive selection device; and
  • The game is not sports wagering or a table game.

The Board has efficiently and responsibly enforced the Commonwealth’s laws related to casino gaming, and I believe they will provide the same level efficiency to the regulation of small games of chance as well if given the responsibility.

Introduced as HB1891