SENATE AMENDED

 

PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 61, 2694, 2819

PRINTER'S NO.  2961

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

HOUSE BILL

 

No.

169

Session of

2011

  

  

INTRODUCED BY DELOZIER, SWANGER, BARRAR, BUXTON, FLECK, GINGRICH, GRELL, GROVE, HARKINS, KAUFFMAN, M. K. KELLER, LONGIETTI, MATZIE, MILLARD, MILLER, OBERLANDER, QUINN, REICHLEY, ROCK, SAINATO, SONNEY, VULAKOVICH, BENNINGHOFF, KAVULICH, REESE, KORTZ, HELM, EVERETT, PERRY, HORNAMAN, MASSER, GABLER AND CALTAGIRONE, JANUARY 19, 2011

  

  

AS AMENDED ON THIRD CONSIDERATION, IN SENATE, JANUARY 17, 2012   

  

  

  

AN ACT

  

1

Amending the act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262, No.156),

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2

entitled, as amended, "An act providing for the licensing of

3

eligible organizations to conduct games of chance, for the

4

licensing of persons to distribute games of chance, for the

5

registration of manufacturers of games of chance, and for

6

suspensions and revocations of licenses and permits;

7

requiring records; providing for local referendum by

8

electorate; and prescribing penalties," further providing for

9

legislative intent, for definitions, for games of chance

10

permitted and for prize limits, for limits on sales, for

11

distributor licenses, for registration of manufacturers, for

12

regulations, for licensing of eligible organizations and for

13

special permits; providing for club licensees; further

14

providing for revocation of licenses, for local option, for

15

advertising and for penalties; and making editorial changes.

16

Amending the act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262, No.156),

<--

17

entitled, as amended, "An act providing for the licensing of

18

eligible organizations to conduct games of chance, for the

19

licensing of persons to distribute games of chance, for the

20

registration of manufacturers of games of chance, and for

21

suspensions and revocations of licenses and permits;

22

requiring records; providing for local referendum by

23

electorate; and prescribing penalties," further providing for

24

legislative intent, for definitions, for games of chance

25

permitted, for prize limits, for limits on sales, for

26

distributor licenses, for regulations, for licensing of

27

eligible organizations and for special permits; providing for

28

club licensees; further providing for revocation of licenses,

29

for enforcement, for local option, for advertising and for

 


1

prohibited persons; providing for civil penalties; further

2

providing for penalties; and making editorial changes.

3

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

4

hereby enacts as follows:

5

Section 1.  The act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262, No.156),

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6

known as the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act, is amended

7

by adding a chapter heading to read:

8

CHAPTER 1

9

PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

10

Section 2.  Section 1 of the act is renumbered to read:

11

Section [1] 101.  Short title.

12

This act shall be known and may be cited as the Local Option

13

Small Games of Chance Act.

14

Section 2.1.  Section 2 of the act is renumbered and amended

15

to read:

16

Section [2] 102.  Legislative intent.

17

[The General Assembly hereby declares that the playing of

18

small games of chance for the purpose of raising funds, by

19

certain nonprofit associations, for the promotion of charitable

20

or civic purposes, is in the public interest.]

21

The General Assembly hereby declares that the playing of

22

small games of chance by certain nonprofit associations for the

23

primary purpose of raising funds for charitable or civic

24

purposes is in the public interest.

25

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the General

26

Assembly that all phases of licensing, operation and regulation

27

of small games of chance be strictly controlled, and that all

28

laws and regulations with respect thereto as well as all

29

gambling laws should be strictly construed and rigidly enforced.

30

The General Assembly recognizes the possibility of

31

association between commercial gambling and organized crime, and

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1

wishes to discourage commercialization of small games of chance,

2

prevent participation by organized crime and prevent the

3

diversion of funds from the purposes herein authorized.

4

Section 3.  The definitions of "civic and service

5

associations," "club," "daily drawing," "eligible

6

organizations," "fraternal organizations," "games of chance,"

7

"law enforcement official," "public interest purposes," "raffle"

8

and "weekly drawing" in section 3 of the act, amended December

9

19, 1990 (P.L.812, No.195) and October 18, 2000 (P.L.602,

10

No.79), are amended and the section is renumbered and amended by

11

adding definitions to read:

12

Section [3] 103.  Definitions.

13

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall

14

have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

15

context clearly indicates otherwise:

16

* * *

17

"Civic and service [associations] association."  Any

18

Statewide or branch, lodge or chapter of a nonprofit national or

19

State organization which is authorized by its written

20

constitution, charter, articles of incorporation or bylaws to

21

engage in a civic or service purpose within this Commonwealth,

22

which shall have existed in this Commonwealth for one year. The

23

term also means a similar local nonprofit organization, not

24

affiliated with a national or State organization, which is

25

recognized by a resolution adopted by the governing body of the

26

municipality in which the organization conducts its principal

27

activities. The term shall include[, but not be limited to,] 

28

Statewide or local bona fide sportsmen's and wildlife

29

associations, federations or clubs, [Statewide or local in

30

nature,] volunteer fire companies, volunteer rescue squads and

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1

volunteer ambulance associations and [bona fide] senior citizens

2

organizations. In the case of [bona fide] senior citizens

3

organizations, the licensing authority may accept alternative

4

documentation for proof of purposes when there are no bylaws or

5

articles of incorporation in existence. The term shall also

6

include nonprofit organizations which are established to promote

7

and encourage participation and support for extracurricular

8

activities within the established primary and secondary public,

9

private and parochial school systems. Such organizations must be

10

recognized by a resolution adopted by the appropriate governing

11

body. In the case of organizations associated with the public

12

school system, the governing body shall be the school board of

13

the school district. In the case of private or parochial school

14

organizations, that body shall be either the board of trustees

15

or the Archdiocese.

16

"Club."  [A club, as defined in section 102] An organization

17

that:

18

(1)  has been issued a club license under Article 4 of

19

the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the

20

Liquor Code[, that]; and

21

(2)  qualifies as an exempt organization under section

22

501(c) or 527 of the Internal Revenue Code of [1954 (68A

23

Stat. 3] 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 501(c) or 527)

24

[and is licensed to sell liquor at retail and has a

25

charitable, religious or civic purpose or is organized to

26

benefit a political party].

27

"Club licensee."  A club that holds a license to conduct

28

small games of chance.

29

"Daily drawing."  A game of chance in which a bona fide

30

member selects or is assigned a number for a chance at a prize

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1

with the winner determined by [a] random drawing to take place

2

on the licensed eligible organization's premises during the same

3

operating day. The term includes games of chance commonly known

4

as "member sign-in lotteries" and "half-and-half lotteries."

5

[Nothing in this act shall be construed to prohibit the carrying

6

over of a jackpot where the winning number has not been entered

7

in the game on a particular operating day.] Daily drawing

8

winners may be determined with the aid of a passive selection

9

device or reference to drawings conducted by the department

10

pursuant to the act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351, No.91), known

11

as the State Lottery Law. Daily drawing chances may not be sold

12

for an amount in excess of $1, and no more than one chance may

13

be sold to an individual during the same operating day.

14

* * *

15

"Eligible [organizations] organization."  Includes qualifying

16

nonprofit charitable, religious, fraternal and veterans

17

organizations, clubs and civic and service associations as

18

defined by this act. In order to qualify as an eligible

19

organization for purposes of this act, an organization shall

20

have been in existence and fulfilling its purposes for one year

21

prior to the date of application for a license.

22

"Fraternal [organizations] organization."  A nonprofit

23

organization within this Commonwealth which is created and

24

carried on for the mutual benefit of its members, has a limited

25

membership and a representative form of government and is a

26

branch, lodge or chapter of a national or State organization.

27

Such organizations shall have been in existence in this

28

Commonwealth and fulfilling their purposes for one year prior to

29

the date of application for a license.

30

"Games of chance."  Punchboards, daily drawings, weekly

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1

drawings, monthly drawings, vertical wheels, raffles and pull-

2

tabs, as defined in this act, provided that no such game shall

3

be played by or with the assistance of any mechanical or

4

electrical devices or media other than a dispensing machine or

5

passive selection device and further provided that the

6

particular chance taken by any person in any such game shall not

7

be made contingent upon any other occurrence or the winning of

8

any other contest, but shall be determined solely at the

9

discretion of the purchaser. This definition shall not be

10

construed to authorize any other form of gambling currently

11

prohibited under any [provision of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania

12

Consolidated Statutes (relating to crimes and offenses)] other

13

law. Nothing in this act shall be construed to authorize games

14

commonly known as "table games," "slot machines" or "video

15

poker."

16

"General operating expenses."

17

(1)  The following operating expenses associated with the

18

real property owned or leased by an eligible organization and

19

used for public interest purposes:

20

(i)  Real property taxes.

21

(ii)  Utilities.

22

(iii)  Heating and air conditioning.

23

(iv)  Water and sewer.

24

(v)  Property insurance.

25

(vi)  Liability insurance.

26

(vii)  Mortgage payments.

27

(viii)  Interior and exterior repairs, including

28

parking lot repairs.

29

(ix)  New facility construction.

30

(x)  Any other expense as provided in regulations

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1

promulgated by the department.

2

(2)  The term shall not include wages, alcohol purchases

3

or payment of any fine levied against the eligible

4

organization.

5

"Law enforcement official."  A municipal police officer, a

6

member of the Pennsylvania State Police, including the Bureau of

7

Liquor Control Enforcement, the sheriff of a county or a deputy

8

sheriff.

9

* * *

10

"Licensed distributor."  A distributor of games of chance

11

licensed under section 304.

12

* * *

13

"Monthly drawing."  A game of chance in which a bona fide

14

member selects or is assigned a number for a chance at a prize

15

with the winner determined by random drawing to take place on

16

the licensed eligible organization's premises during an

17

operating month. A monthly drawing winner may be determined with

18

the aid of a passive selection device or reference to drawings

19

conducted by the department under the act of August 26, 1971

20

(P.L.351, No.91), known as the State Lottery Law. A monthly

21

drawing chance may not be sold for more than $1 and no more than

22

one chance per individual may be sold per drawing.

23

* * *

24

"Prize."  Cash or merchandise awarded from a game of chance.

25

"Proceeds."  The difference between:

26

(1)  the gross revenue collected by a licensed eligible

27

organization from the conduct of a game of chance; and

28

(2)  (i)  the amount of prizes paid by a licensed

29

eligible organization from a game of chance; and

30

(ii)  the purchase of games of chance.

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1

"Public interest purposes."  One or more of the following:

2

(1)  Benefiting persons, other than members of the

3

eligible organization, by enhancing their opportunity for

4

religious or education advancement, by relieving or

5

protecting them from disease, suffering or distress, by

6

contributing to their physical, emotional or social well-

7

being, by assisting them in establishing themselves in life

8

as worthy and useful citizens or by increasing their

9

comprehension of and devotion to the principles upon which

10

this nation was founded.

11

(2)  Initiating, performing or fostering worthy public

12

works or enabling or furthering the erection or maintenance

13

of public structures.

14

(3)  Lessening the burdens borne by government or

15

voluntarily supporting, augmenting or supplementing services

16

which government would normally render to the people.

17

(4)  Improving, expanding, maintaining or repairing real

18

property owned or leased by an eligible organization and used

19

exclusively for purposes specified in [paragraphs] Paragraph 

20

(1), (2) [and] or (3).

21

The term does not include the erection or acquisition of any

22

real property, unless the property will be used exclusively for

23

one or more of the purposes specified in this definition.

24

* * *

25

"Raffle."  A game of chance in which a participant buys a

26

ticket for a chance at a prize with the winner determined by a

27

random drawing of corresponding ticket stubs to take place at a

28

location and date or dates printed upon each ticket. Such games

29

of chance shall include lotteries but not daily drawings, weekly

30

drawings or monthly drawings. Raffle winners may be determined

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1

by reference to drawings conducted by the department pursuant to

2

the act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351, No.91), known as the State

3

Lottery Law.

4

* * *

5

"Vertical wheel game."  A game in which a participant places

6

a coin or chip on a color, number or word or purchases a ticket

7

containing a color, number or word and watches a spinning

8

vertical wheel until the pointer of the wheel rests on a section

9

of the wheel designating a winner.

10

* * *

11

"Weekly drawing."  A game of chance in which a bona fide

12

member selects or receives a number or numbers for a chance at a

13

prize with the winner determined by a random drawing to take

14

place on the licensed eligible organization's premises at the

15

end of a seven-day period. Nothing in this act shall be

16

construed to prohibit the carrying over of a jackpot where the

17

winning number has not been entered in the game in a particular

18

week. Weekly drawing winners may be determined with the aid of a

19

passive selection device or reference to drawings conducted by

20

the Department of Revenue pursuant to the act of August 26, 1971

21

(P.L.351, No.91), known as the State Lottery Law. Weekly drawing

22

chances may not be sold for an amount in excess of $1.

23

Section 4.  The act is amended by adding a chapter heading to

24

read:

25

CHAPTER 3

26

GAMES OF CHANCE

27

Section 5.  Section 4 of the act, amended December 19, 1990

28

(P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered and amended to read:

29

Section [4] 301.  Games of chance permitted.

30

Every eligible organization to which a license has been

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1

issued under the provisions of this act may conduct games of

2

chance for the purpose of raising funds for general operating

3

expenses and for public interest purposes. [All proceeds of

4

games of chance shall be used exclusively for public interest

5

purposes or for the purchase of games of chance as permitted by 

6

this act.] Proceeds of games of chance of an eligible

7

organization shall be used as follows:

8

(1)  Not less than 70% of proceeds shall be used for

9

public interest purposes as permitted by this act.

10

(2)  Up to 30% of proceeds may be used for general

11

operating expenses.

12

(3)  Proceeds may not be used for wages, alcohol or food

13

purchases or for the payment of any fine levied against the

14

eligible organization.

15

(4)  Amounts retained under paragraph (1) shall be

16

expended within the same calendar year unless the eligible

17

organization notifies the department that funds are being

18

retained for a substantial purchase or project. Notification

19

shall include a description of the purchase or project, the

20

cost and the anticipated date of the purchase or project.

21

Section 6.  Section 5 of the act, amended December 19, 1990

22

(P.L.812, No.195) and October 18, 2000 (P.L.602, No.79), is

23

renumbered and amended to read:

24

Section [5] 302.  Prize limits and reporting.

25

[(a)  Individual prize limit.--The maximum cash value which

26

may be awarded for any single chance shall be $500.

27

(b)  Weekly limit.--No more than $5,000 in cash or

28

merchandise shall be awarded by any eligible organization in any

29

seven-day period.

30

(c)  Limit on raffles.--No more than $5,000 in cash or

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1

merchandise shall be awarded in raffles in any calendar month.

2

(d)  Exception.--An eligible organization may conduct a

3

raffle and award a prize or prizes valued in excess of $500 each

4

only under the following conditions:

5

(1)  The licensing authority has issued a special permit

6

for the raffle under section 11.

7

(2)  Eligible organizations shall be eligible to receive

8

no more than two special permits in any licensed year except

9

that volunteer fire, ambulance and rescue organizations shall

10

be eligible to receive no more than three special permits in

11

any licensed year.

12

(3)  Only one raffle may be conducted under each special

13

permit.

14

(4)  The total cash value of all prizes shall be no more

15

than $100,000 per calendar year.

16

(e)  Limit on daily drawings.--Daily drawings shall be

17

governed by the prize limitations contained in subsections (a)

18

and (b). An eligible organization shall not conduct daily

19

drawings during a period when a weekly drawing is taking place.

20

(f)  Exception.--The prize limitation contained in

21

subsections (a) and (b) may be exceeded by a daily drawing under

22

the following circumstances: a daily drawing may award a prize

23

where the cash value is in excess of $500 if such prize is the

24

result of a carryover of a drawing or drawings which resulted

25

from the winning number in such drawing or drawings not being

26

among the eligible entrants in such drawings. Nothing contained

27

herein shall authorize the prize limitations as contained in

28

subsections (a) and (b) to be exceeded as a result of a failure

29

to conduct a drawing on an operating day during which chances

30

were sold for a daily drawing or for a daily drawing for which

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1

chances were sold in excess of $1 or for which more than one

2

chance was sold to an eligible participant.

3

(g)  Daily drawing and weekly drawing exception.--When a

4

daily drawing or weekly drawing is set up or conducted in such a

5

manner as to pay out or award 100% of the gross revenues

6

generated from such drawing, the limitations contained in

7

subsection (b) shall not apply.

8

(h)  Limit on weekly drawings.--Weekly drawings shall be

9

governed by the prize limitations contained in subsection (b).

10

The prize limitation contained in subsection (b) may be exceeded

11

by a weekly drawing under the following circumstances: a weekly

12

drawing may award a prize where the cash value is in excess of

13

$5,000 if such prize is the result of a carryover of a drawing

14

or drawings which resulted from the winning number or numbers in

15

such drawing or drawings not being among the eligible entrants

16

in such drawings. Nothing contained in this act shall authorize

17

the prize limitations as contained in subsection (b) to be

18

exceeded as a result of a failure to conduct a drawing for a

19

week during which chances were sold for a weekly drawing or for

20

a weekly drawing for which chances were sold in excess of $1. An

21

eligible organization shall not conduct weekly drawings during a

22

period when a daily drawing is taking place.]

23

(a)  Maximum limits.--Except as provided under this section,

24

the following limits shall apply to prizes awarded by a licensed

25

eligible organization:

26

(1)  The maximum prize which may be awarded for any

27

single chance shall be $1,000.

28

(2)  No more than $30,000 in prizes shall be awarded from

29

any games of chance in any seven-day period.

30

(3)  No more than $50,000 in prizes from a monthly

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1

drawing shall be awarded by a licensed eligible organization

2

in any calendar month.

3

(4)  The total amount of prizes awarded under paragraphs

4

(1), (2) and (3) may not exceed $100,000 per calendar month.

5

(b)  Raffles.--The following shall apply to raffles:

6

(1)  No more than $10,000 in prizes shall be awarded in

7

raffles in any calendar month.

8

(2)  An eligible organization may conduct a raffle and

9

award a prize valued in excess of $1,000 if all of the

10

following apply:

11

(i)  The licensing authority has issued a special

12

permit for the raffle under section 308.

13

(ii)  A licensed eligible organization shall be

14

eligible to receive no more than three special permits in

15

any licensed term except that volunteer fire, ambulance

16

and rescue organizations shall be eligible to receive no

17

more than five special permits in any licensed term.

18

(iii)  Only one raffle may be conducted under each

19

special permit issued under section 308.

20

(iv)  The total cash value of all prizes awarded

21

under this subsection paragraph may be no more than

22

$100,000 per licensed term.

23

(c)  Daily drawings.--The following shall apply to daily

24

drawings:

25

(1)  A licensed eligible organization may not conduct

26

daily drawings during a period when a weekly or monthly

27

drawing is taking place.

28

(2)  The following shall apply:

29

(i)  Notwithstanding the prize limitation under

30

subsection (a)(1) and (2), a daily drawing may award a

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1

prize in excess of $1,000 if the prize is the result of a

2

carryover of a drawing which resulted from the winning

3

number in the drawing not being among the eligible

4

entrants in the drawings.

5

(ii)  Nothing under this paragraph shall authorize

6

the prize limitations under subsection (a)(1) and (2) to

7

be exceeded:

8

(A)  as a result of a failure to conduct a

9

drawing on an operating day during which chances were

10

sold for a daily drawing; or

11

(B)  for a daily drawing for which chances were

12

sold in excess of $1 or for which more than one

13

chance was sold to an eligible participant.

14

(d)  Weekly drawing.--The following shall apply to weekly

15

drawings:

16

(1)  A licensed eligible organization may not conduct

17

weekly drawings during a period when a daily or monthly

18

drawing is taking place.

19

(2)  The following shall apply:

20

(i)  Notwithstanding the prize limitation under

21

subsection (a)(2), a weekly drawing may award a prize in

22

excess of $30,000 if the prize is the result of a

23

carryover of a drawing which resulted from the winning

24

number in the drawing not being among the eligible

25

entrants in the drawings.

26

(ii)  Nothing under this subsection shall authorize

27

the prize limitation under subsection (a)(2) to be

28

exceeded:

29

(A)  as a result of a failure to conduct a

30

drawing for a week during which chances were sold for

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1

a weekly drawing; or

2

(B)  for a weekly drawing for which chances were

3

sold in excess of $1.

4

(e)  Monthly drawing.--A licensed eligible organization may

5

not conduct a monthly drawing during a period when a daily or

6

weekly drawing is taking place.

7

(f)  Full payout.--If a daily drawing, weekly drawing or

8

monthly drawing is set up or conducted in such a manner as to

9

pay out or award 100% of the gross revenues generated from the

10

drawing, the limitations contained under subsection (a)(2) and

11

(3) shall not apply.

12

(g)  Reporting requirements.--Each licensed eligible

13

organization shall report to the department prizes awarded as

14

required under section 335 of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6,

15

No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971.

16

Section 7.  Sections 6 and 7 of the act, amended December 19,

17

1990 (P.L.812, No.195), are renumbered and amended to read:

18

Section [6] 303.  Sales limited.

19

(a)  General rule.--No person shall sell, offer for sale or

20

furnish games of chance for use within this Commonwealth except

21

to an eligible organization or [distributor] licensed

22

distributor under this act.

23

(b)  Organizations.--No game of chance, other than a raffle

24

conducted under section 302, sold, offered for sale or furnished

25

to a licensed eligible organization for use within this

26

Commonwealth shall contain, permit, depict or designate a prize

27

having a cash value in excess of [$500] $1,000.

28

Section [7] 304.  Distributor licenses.

29

(a)  License required.--No person shall sell, offer for sale

30

or furnish games of chance to eligible organizations licensed

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1

under this act unless such person shall have obtained a

2

distributor license as provided in this section.

3

(b)  Application.--An applicant for the grant or renewal of a

4

distributor license issued pursuant to this section shall

5

provide to the department, upon the form prescribed, all of the

6

following:

7

(1)  The applicant's State sales tax number.

8

(2)  The applicant's State corporate tax number.

9

(3)  The applicant's State employer withholding tax

10

number.

11

(4)  The applicant's unemployment compensation account

12

number.

13

(5)  A statement that:

14

(i)  all State tax reports have been filed and all

15

State taxes paid;

16

(ii)  all State taxes are subject to a timely

17

administrative or judicial appeal; or

18

(iii)  all State taxes are subject to a duly approved

19

deferred payment plan.

20

(6)  The names and business addresses of all owners,

21

officers, directors, partners and sales personnel.

22

(c)  Waiver of confidentiality.--An applicant for the grant

23

or renewal of [any] a distributor license issued pursuant to

24

this section shall, by the filing of an application insofar as

25

it relates to the department, waive any confidentiality with

26

respect to State tax information in the possession of the

27

department, the Office of Attorney General or the Department of

28

Labor and Industry regarding that applicant, regardless of the

29

source of that information, and shall consent to the providing

30

of that information to the department by the Office of Attorney

- 16 -

 


1

General or the Department of Labor and Industry.

2

(d)  Review of tax status.--Upon receipt of any application

3

for the grant or renewal of [any] a distributor license issued

4

pursuant to this section, the department shall review the State

5

tax status of the applicant. The department shall request State

6

tax information regarding the applicant from the Office of

7

Attorney General or the Department of Labor and Industry and

8

that information shall be provided.

9

(e)  Limitation on approval.--The department shall not

10

approve any application for the grant or renewal of [any] a

11

distributor license issued pursuant to this section where the

12

applicant has failed to:

13

(1)  provide any of the information required by

14

subsection (b);

15

(2)  file required State tax reports; or

16

(3)  pay any State taxes not subject to a timely

17

administrative or judicial appeal or subject to a duly

18

authorized deferred payment plan.

19

(f)  Records.--[The] Each distributor licensee shall keep

20

such records, reports and books as the department shall

21

prescribe. [Applicants] Annually, each distributor licensee 

22

shall be required to make such records, reports and books

23

available [as] to law enforcement officials as requested or in a

24

manner required by the department pursuant to regulation.

25

(g)  Ineligibility.--The department shall not issue or renew

26

a distributor license for the sale of games of chance to a

27

person, including any corporation, firm or partnership which has

28

as an officer, director or other person in a supervisory or

29

management position, or employee eligible to make sales on

30

behalf of the distributor, who:

- 17 -

 


1

(1)  has been convicted of a felony in a state or Federal

2

court within the past five years; or

3

(2)  has been convicted within ten years of the date of

4

application in a state or Federal court of a violation of the

5

act of July 10, 1981 (P.L.214, No.67), known as the Bingo

6

Law, or of this act or of a gambling-related offense under

7

Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (relating

8

to crimes and offenses) or other comparable State or Federal

9

law.

10

(h)  License and renewal fees.--The fee for a distributor

11

license shall be [$1,000] $2,000. Licenses shall be renewable on

12

an annual basis.

13

(i)  Exception.--[This] Except as provided under section 504,

14

this section shall not apply to the manufacture or distribution

15

of raffle tickets.

16

Section 8.  Section 8 of the act is renumbered and amended to

17

read:

18

Section [8] 305.  Registration of manufacturers.

19

(a)  Registration required.--No manufacturer of games of

20

chance shall sell any games of chance to any person unless the

21

manufacturer has registered with the department and has been

22

issued a certificate of registration.

23

(b)  Annual certificate; fee.--A certificate under this

24

section shall be valid for one year. The annual fee for

25

registration shall be [$2,000] $4,000.

26

(c)  Prohibited sales.--A manufacturer shall not sell games

27

of chance to any person not licensed as a distributor unless the

28

manufacturer is also a licensed distributor.

29

(d)  Exception.--This section shall not apply to the

30

manufacture or distribution of raffle tickets.

- 18 -

 


1

(e)  Records.--The manufacturer shall keep records, reports

2

and books as prescribed by the department. Annually,

3

manufacturers shall be required to make the records, reports and

4

books available to the department and law enforcement officials

5

as requested or in a manner required by the department by

6

regulation.

7

Section 9.  Section 9 of the act, amended December 19, 1990

8

(P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered and amended to read:

9

Section [9] 306.  Regulations of department.

10

(a)  Authorization.--The department shall promulgate

11

regulations to:

12

(1)  Impose minimum standards and restrictions applicable

13

to games of chance manufactured for sale in this

14

Commonwealth, which may include standards and restrictions

15

which specify the maximum number of chances available to be

16

sold for any single game of chance or prize and such other

17

standards and restrictions as the department deems necessary

18

for the purposes of this act. The department shall consider

19

standards adopted by the National Association of Gambling

20

Regulatory Agencies and other standards commonly accepted in

21

the industry.

22

(2)  Establish procedures by which manufacturers may

23

register and distributors of games of chance may apply for

24

licensure on forms which the department shall provide. Forms

25

provided by the department shall include a requirement that

26

manufacturer and distributor applicants provide a criminal

27

history record information check obtained from the

28

Pennsylvania State Police as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 9102

29

(relating to definitions) and permitted by 18 Pa.C.S. §

30

9121(b) (relating to general regulations) for all officers,

- 19 -

 


1

managers and other persons responsible for overseeing games

2

of chance.

3

(3)  Provide for the suspension or revocation of

4

distribution licenses or manufacturer certificates for

5

violations of this act or regulations of the department.

6

(4)  Carry out other provisions of this act.

7

(b)  Limitation on recordkeeping requirements.--This section

8

shall not be construed to authorize the department to promulgate

9

regulations providing for recordkeeping requirements for

10

licensed eligible organizations which require unreasonable or

11

unnecessary information or a repetitious listing of information.

12

The department shall strive to keep such recordkeeping

13

requirements from being an undue hardship or burden on licensed 

14

eligible organizations. Under no circumstances shall the

15

department require the retention of records for a period in

16

excess of two years.

17

(c)  Report.--

18

(1)  The department shall, on a biennial basis, review

19

this act and any rules or regulations promulgated under this

20

act and submit a report to the General Assembly with its

21

recommendations. The recommendations for legislative action

22

may include:

23

(i)  Improvements to the enforcement provisions.

24

(ii)  Additional types of games of chance authorized.

25

(iii)  Changes in the prize limitations for games of

26

chance.

27

(2)  The department shall consult with law enforcement

28

officials in formulating its recommendations.

29

Section 10.  Section 10 of the act, amended December 19, 1990

30

(P.L.812, No.195) and October 18, 2000 (P.L.602, No.79), is

- 20 -

 


1

renumbered and amended to read:

2

Section [10] 307.  Licensing of eligible organizations to

3

conduct games of chance.

4

(a)  License required.--No eligible organization shall

5

conduct or operate any games of chance unless such eligible

6

organization has obtained and maintains a valid license or

7

limited occasion license issued pursuant to this section.

8

Auxiliary groups within eligible organizations shall be eligible

9

to conduct small games of chance using the license issued to the

10

eligible organization provided that the auxiliary group or

11

groups are listed on the application and license of the eligible

12

organization. No additional licensing fee shall be charged for

13

an auxiliary group's eligibility under this act. Auxiliary

14

groups shall not include branches, lodges or chapters of a

15

Statewide organization.

16

(b)  Issuance and fees.--The licensing authority shall

17

license, upon application, within 30 days any eligible

18

organization meeting the requirements for licensure contained in

19

this act to conduct and operate games of chance at such

20

locations within the county or in such manner as stated on the

21

application as limited by subsection (b.1). The license fee to

22

be charged to each eligible organization shall be [$100] $150,

23

except for limited occasion licenses which shall be [$10] $15.

24

Licenses shall be renewable annually upon the anniversary of the

25

date of issue. The license fee shall be used by the licensing

26

authority for the administration of this act.

27

(b.1)  Location of small games of chance.--

28

(1)  Every licensed eligible organization, except a

29

limited occasion licensee, shall conduct small games of

30

chance only at a licensed premises. The licensed premises

- 21 -

 


1

shall be indicated on the eligible organization's license

2

application. Only one license shall be issued per licensed

3

premises. Except as provided under subparagraph (iii), a

4

licensed eligible organization may not use another licensed

5

eligible organization's premises to conduct its games of

6

chance, and no licensed eligible organization may permit its

7

premises to be used for small games of chance by another

8

licensed eligible organization.

9

(i)  Where there exists a location or premises which

10

is the normal business or operating site of the eligible

11

organization and the location or premises is owned or

12

leased by that eligible organization to conduct its

13

normal business, that site shall be the eligible

14

organization's licensed premises for small games of

15

chance conducted by the eligible organization. If that

16

location consists of more than one building [and the

17

eligible organization wishes to conduct its games in a

18

different building at that location from the one that is

19

listed on its application and license, the eligible

20

organization must notify, in writing, the district

21

attorney and the licensing authority of the change in

22

building site and the dates and times that will be

23

affected], the eligible organization shall designate on

24

its application the building that will be the licensed

25

premises.

26

(ii)  When an eligible organization does not own or

27

lease a specific location to conduct its normal business,

28

[that] the eligible organization [may use another

29

eligible organization's premises to conduct its games or] 

30

may make [such other] arrangements that are consistent

- 22 -

 


1

with this act to establish a licensed premises,

2

including[, but not limited to,] leasing a premise under

3

a written agreement for a rental [which is not], except

4

that the rental may not be determined by either the

5

amount of receipts realized from the [playing] conduct of

6

games of chance [nor] or the number of people attending

7

[except that an]. An eligible organization may lease a

8

facility for a banquet [where a per head charge is

9

applied] in connection with the serving of a meal based

10

on a per-head charge. When such eligible organization

11

changes the site of its games from that which is listed

12

on its application and license, the eligible organization

13

must notify, in writing, the district attorney and

14

licensing authority of the change in their games' site

15

[and dates and times that will be affected].

16

(iii)  An eligible organization that has obtained a

17

limited occasion license under subsection (b.3) may use

18

another eligible organization's licensed premises to

19

conduct its games of chance. When a licensed eligible

20

organization is permitting a limited occasion licensee to

21

use its licensed premises for purposes of small games of

22

chance, the eligible organization shall cease the

23

operation of its own small games of chance during the

24

period that the limited occasion licensee is conducting

25

its games on the premises.

26

(2)  Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, all

27

aspects of the operation of games of chance shall be

28

conducted on the licensed premises.

29

(b.2)  Off-premises games of chance.--Notwithstanding any

30

other provisions of this section, [an] all of the following

- 23 -

 


1

apply:

2

(1)  A licensed eligible organization may, on one

3

occasion during a license term, conduct small games of chance

4

at a location off its premises when [such games] the games of

5

chance are part of an annual carnival, fair, picnic or

6

banquet held or participated in by that licensed eligible

7

organization on a historical basis. The licensed eligible

8

organization must notify, in writing, the district attorney

9

and licensing authority of the location, date and times of

10

[such events] the event where it will be conducting small

11

games of chance.

12

(2)  Raffle tickets may be sold off the licensed premises

13

in a municipality which has adopted the provisions of this

14

act by an affirmative vote in a municipal referendum. A

15

licensed eligible organization which plans to sell raffle

16

tickets in a municipality located in a county other than the

17

county in which the eligible organization is licensed shall

18

notify that county's district attorney and licensing

19

authority as to the location and the dates that the eligible

20

organization plans to sell raffle tickets.

21

(b.3)  Limited occasion licenses.--Eligible organizations

22

which do not own their own premises or which do not lease a

23

specific location to conduct their normal business may apply for

24

a limited occasion license to conduct small games of chance on

25

not more than three occasions covering a total of seven days

26

during a licensed year. A limited occasion license entitles

27

eligible organizations holding such a license to conduct no more

28

than two raffles during a licensed year where prizes may not

29

exceed the established limits for regular monthly raffles.

30

Holders of a limited occasion [licenses] license may not apply

- 24 -

 


1

or be granted any other license or special permit under this

2

act. No holder of a regular license or special permit under this

3

act shall apply or be granted a limited occasion license.

4

(b.4)  Gambling facility prohibited.--It shall be unlawful

5

for a person, corporation, association, partnership or other

6

business entity to offer for rent or offer for use a building or

7

facility to be used exclusively for the [conducting] conduct of

8

small games of chance. It shall also be unlawful for any

9

eligible organization to rent or lease under any terms a

10

[facility or] building or facility which is used exclusively for

11

the [conducting] conduct of small games of chance.

12

(c)  Display.--Licenses issued pursuant to this section shall

13

be publicly displayed at the site [of the small] where games of

14

chance will be conducted.

15

(d)  Operation.--Each licensed eligible organization shall

16

[comply with the following restrictions and rules governing the

17

operation of games of chance] be prohibited from the following:

18

(1)  [No] Permitting any person under 18 years of age

19

[shall be permitted] to operate or play games of chance.

20

(2)  [No eligible organization shall permit] Permitting 

21

any person who has been convicted of a felony in a Federal or

22

State court within the past five years or has been convicted

23

in a Federal or State court within the past ten years of a

24

violation of the act of July 10, 1981 (P.L.214, No.67), known

25

as the Bingo Law, or of this act to manage, set up, supervise

26

or participate in the operation of games of chance.

27

(3)  [No eligible organization shall pay] Paying any

28

compensation to any person for conducting any games of

29

chance. Games of chance may only be conducted by managers,

30

officers, directors, bar personnel and bona fide members of

- 25 -

 


1

the eligible organization.

2

(3.1)  Permitting a manager, officer, director, bar

3

personnel or other operator of the game of chance, except for

4

a raffle, from being a player in the game of chance the

5

individual is operating.

6

(4)  [Games shall be conducted only] Conducting small

7

games of chance on any premises other than on the licensed

8

premises or as otherwise provided by this act.

9

(5)  [The eligible organization shall not lease such] 

10

Leasing the licensed premises under either an oral or a

11

written agreement for a rental which is determined by either

12

the amount of receipts realized from the playing of games of

13

chance or the number of people attending, except that an

14

eligible organization may lease a facility for a banquet

15

where a per head charge is applied in connection with the

16

serving of a meal. An eligible organization shall not lease

17

such premises from any person who has been convicted of a

18

violation of this act or the Bingo Law within the past ten

19

years.

20

(6)  [Games] Purchasing games of chance, other than

21

raffles, daily drawings [and], weekly drawings[, shall be

22

purchased only from manufacturers and distributors] and

23

monthly drawings from any person other than a licensed

24

distributor approved by the department.

25

[(7)  No licensed eligible organization shall permit its

26

premises to be used for small games of chance by another

27

licensed eligible organization at the same time that it is

28

conducting small games of chance on the premises. When a

29

licensed eligible organization is permitting another licensed

30

eligible organization to use its premises for purposes of

- 26 -

 


1

small games of chance, it must cease the operation of its own

2

small games of chance during the period that the other

3

licensed eligible organization is conducting its games on the

4

premises.

5

(8)  Raffle tickets may be sold off the licensed premise

6

in any municipality in this Commonwealth which has adopted

7

the provisions of this act by an affirmative vote in a

8

municipal referendum. A licensed eligible organization which

9

plans to sell raffle tickets in a municipality located in a

10

county other than the county in which the eligible

11

organization is licensed must notify that county's district

12

attorney and licensing authority as to the location and the

13

dates that the eligible organization plans to sell raffle

14

tickets.]

15

(7)  Operating games of chance on a licensed premises

16

when another eligible organization is operating games of

17

chance.

18

(d.1)  Bank account and records.--Each licensed eligible

19

organization shall establish and maintain a bank account to hold

20

the proceeds of small games of chance, which shall be separate

21

from all other bank accounts belonging to the licensed eligible

22

organization. Account records shall show all expenditures and

23

income and shall be retained by the licensed eligible

24

organization for at least two years.

25

(e)  Application for license.--Each eligible organization

26

shall apply to the licensing authority for a license on a form

27

to be prescribed by the Secretary of Revenue. The form shall

28

contain an annual report filed by the eligible organization and 

29

an affidavit to be affirmed by the executive officer or

30

secretary of the eligible organization stating that:

- 27 -

 


1

(1)  No person under 18 years of age will be permitted by

2

the eligible organization to operate or play games of chance.

3

(2)  The facility in which the games of chance are to be

4

played has adequate means of ingress and egress and adequate

5

sanitary facilities available in the area.

6

(3)  The eligible organization is not leasing such

7

premises from the owner thereof under an oral agreement, nor

8

is it leasing such premises from the owner thereof under a

9

written agreement at a rental which is determined by the

10

amount of receipts realized from the playing of games of

11

chance or by the number of people attending, except that an

12

eligible organization may lease a facility for a banquet

13

where a per head charge is applied in connection with the

14

serving of a meal.

15

(4)  The eligible organization has a separate bank

16

account to hold all proceeds of small games of chance.

17

(5)  The eligible organization has complied with the

18

annual financial report filing.

19

(e.1)  Additional application components.--As part of the

20

initial or renewal application filed under subsection (e), each

21

eligible organization shall file an annual report with the

22

licensing authority. The first annual report required under this

23

paragraph shall contain information for the 12-month period

24

ending at least 60 days, but not more than 90 days, prior to the

25

submission of the application. Subsequent annual reports shall

26

contain information for the most recent 12-month period ending

27

in the same month as the initial report.

28

(f)  List of licensees.--The licensing authority, on a

29

semiannual basis, shall send a copy of all licensees to the

30

Department of Revenue.

- 28 -

 


1

(g)  List of municipalities.--The licensing authority shall

2

include with any license or renewal license issued to an

3

eligible organization, an up-to-date listing of those

4

municipalities within the licensing county which have approved

5

the referendum question on small games of chance.

6

(h)  Background checks.--Each application for a license shall

7

include the results of a criminal history record information

8

check obtained from the Pennsylvania State Police, as defined in

9

18 Pa.C.S. § 9102 (relating to definitions) and permitted by 18

10

Pa.C.S. § 9121(b) (relating to general regulations), for the

11

executive officer or secretary of the eligible organization

12

making the application for a license and all other responsible

13

persons listed on the application.

14

Section 11.  Section 11 of the act, amended December 19, 1990

15

(P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered and amended to read:

16

Section [11] 308.  Special permits.

17

(a)  Issuance and fee.--The licensing authority shall issue a

18

special permit for each raffle in which the [licensee] licensed 

19

eligible organization proposes to award individual prizes having

20

a cash value in excess of [$500] $1,000. The licensing authority

21

may establish and collect a fee not to exceed $25 for the

22

issuance of special permits under this section.

23

(b)  Permit application.--Each special permit application

24

shall specify the location where the actual drawing will be

25

held, the number of chances to be sold, the price per chance and

26

the cash value of the prize or prizes to be awarded.

27

Section 12.  The act is amended by adding a chapter to read:

28

CHAPTER 5

29

CLUB LICENSEES

30

Section 501.  Report.

- 29 -

 


1

The following shall apply:

2

(1)  By March 31, 2013, and by March 31 of each year

3

thereafter, each club licensee shall submit an annual report

4

to the Pennsylvania State Police for the preceding calendar

5

year on a form prescribed by the Pennsylvania State Police.

6

(2)  The report must be filed under oath or affirmation

7

of an authorized officer of the club licensee.

8

(3)  The report must include all of the following

9

information for the prior calendar year:

10

(i)  The proceeds received by the club licensee from

11

each game of chance conducted, itemized by week.

12

(ii)  The distribution of proceeds under section

13

502(a)(1) and (2).

14

(iii)  The amount of proceeds for all games of chance

15

not purchased from a licensed distributor which the club

16

licensee conducted, itemized by week.

17

(iv)  The amount of prizes paid from games of chance

18

and itemized costs related to the conduct of games of

19

chance.

20

(v)  The amounts distributed for public interest

21

purposes itemized by the recipient.

22

(vi)  An itemized list of expenditures made or

23

amounts retained for general operating expenses.

24

(vii)  The address and county in which the club

25

licensee is located.

26

(viii)  Other information or documentation required

27

by the Pennsylvania State Police.

28

Section 502.  Proceeds.

29

(a)  Distribution.--The proceeds from games of chance

30

received by a club licensee shall be distributed as follows:

- 30 -

 


1

(1)  Not less than 70% of proceeds shall be paid to

2

organizations other than the club licensee for public

3

interest purposes.

4

(2)  Up to 30% of proceeds may be used for general

5

operating expenses.

6

(b)  Prohibition.--Proceeds shall not be used for wages,

7

alcohol or food purchases or for the payment of any fine levied

8

against the club licensee.

9

(c)  Proceeds for public interest purposes.--Amounts retained

10

by a club licensee under subsection (a)(2) shall be expended

11

within the same calendar year unless the club licensee notifies

12

the department that funds are being retained for a substantial

13

purchase or project. Notification shall include a description of

14

the purchase or project, the cost and the anticipated date of

15

the purchase or project.

16

Section 503.  Documentation.

17

Every sale of a game of chance by a licensed distributor to a

18

club licensee shall be documented by an invoice listing the

19

names and types of games of chance sold, quantities of each game

20

sold and any other information related to the sale of games of

21

chance as required by the Pennsylvania State Police. Failure to

22

provide correct invoices shall result in a penalty under section

23

706.

24

Section 504.  Restriction.

25

Notwithstanding section 307(d)(6), all punchboards, daily

26

drawings, weekly drawings, monthly drawings, raffles and pull

27

tabs shall be purchased from a licensed distributor approved by

28

the department.

29

Section 505.  Failure to comply.

30

(a)  Offense defined.--A club licensee commits a misdemeanor

- 31 -

 


1

of the third degree for failing to comply with this chapter or

2

failing to provide their books, accounts and records relating to

3

the conduct of games of chance under section 701(b).

4

(b)  Reporting.--The Pennsylvania State Police shall provide

5

a list of club licensees that fail to file reports under this

6

chapter by the required dates or fail to comply with sections

7

502 and 503 to the applicable licensing authority, district

8

attorney and the department.

9

Section 13.  The act is amended by adding a chapter heading

10

to read:

11

CHAPTER 7

12

ENFORCEMENT

13

Section 14.  Section 12 of the act, amended December 19, 1990

14

(P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered and amended to read:

15

Section [12] 701.  Revocation of licenses.

16

(a)  Grounds.--The [licensing authority shall revoke or

17

refuse to renew the license of any eligible organization

18

whenever the district attorney finds upon complaint and

19

investigation that] following shall be grounds for the

20

suspension, revocation or nonrenewal of a license:

21

(1)  Any of the funds derived from the operation of games

22

of chance are used for any purpose other than [for public

23

interest purposes or for the purchase of games of chance as] 

24

those purposes permitted by this act.

25

(2)  Any person under 18 years of age is operating or

26

playing games of chance [as defined in this act].

27

(3)  The eligible organization has permitted any person

28

who has been convicted of a felony in a Federal or State

29

court within the past five years or has been convicted in a

30

Federal or State court within the past ten years of a

- 32 -

 


1

violation of the act of July 10, 1981 (P.L.214, No.67), known

2

as the Bingo Law, or of this act, to manage, set up,

3

supervise or participate in the operation of games of chance.

4

(4)  The facility in which the games of chance are played

5

does not have adequate means of ingress and egress and does

6

not have adequate sanitary facilities available in the area.

7

(5)  Any person or persons other than a manager, officer,

8

director, bar personnel or a bona fide member of an eligible

9

organization have been involved in managing, setting up,

10

operating or running games of chance.

11

(5.1)  Any manager, officer, director, bar personnel or

12

other operator of the game of chance, except for a raffle,

13

has been a player in the game the individual is operating.

14

(6)  Any person has received compensation for conducting

15

games of chance.

16

(7)  Any prize has been awarded in excess of the limits

17

permitted under this act.

18

(8)  The eligible organization has violated any condition

19

of a special permit issued pursuant to section [11] 308.

20

(9)  The eligible organization conducts the games of

21

chance under a lease which calls for:

22

(i)  leasing such premises from the owner thereof

23

under an oral agreement; or

24

(ii)  leasing such premises from the owner thereof

25

under a written agreement at a rental which is determined

26

by the amount of receipts realized from the playing of

27

games of chance.

28

(10)  False or erroneous information was provided in the

29

original application or in any information provided to the

30

licensing authority, the department or the Pennsylvania State

- 33 -

 


1

Police in any application, renewal form or report.

2

(11)  An eligible organization has been convicted of a

3

violation of this act as evidenced by a certified record of

4

the conviction.

5

(12)  The eligible organization has permitted another

6

eligible organization to conduct small games of chance on its

7

licensed premises without suspending its own operation of

8

small games of chance during the period that the other

9

licensed eligible organization is conducting its games on the

10

premises.

11

(13)  The eligible organization has failed to keep and

12

maintain the records required under this act for a period of

13

at least two years.

14

(14)  A club licensee has failed to file an accurate

15

report under section 501.

16

(15)  A club licensee has failed to comply with section

17

501 or 502.

18

(b)  Production of records.--The district attorney may

19

require [licensees] licensed eligible organizations, registered

20

manufacturers and licensed distributors to produce their books,

21

accounts and records relating to the conduct of games of chance

22

in order to determine [whether a license should be revoked or

23

renewal thereof denied] if a violation of this act has occurred.

24

Licensees shall also be required upon request to [produce] 

25

provide their license, books, accounts and records relating to

26

the conduct of games of chance to other law enforcement

27

officials [upon proper request].

28

Section 15.  Section 13 of the act is renumbered to read:

29

Section [13] 702.  Enforcement.

30

(a)  District attorney.--The district attorney shall

- 34 -

 


1

investigate alleged violations of this act. If the district

2

attorney finds probable cause to believe that a violation has

3

occurred, he may file a complaint against the alleged violator

4

in the court of common pleas of said county, except in counties

5

of the first class where the complaint may be filed in the

6

municipal court. In addition, the district attorney shall

7

prosecute said complaint in the manner provided by law.

8

(b)  Other law enforcement officials.--Nothing in this act

9

shall be interpreted to restrict the power of State, county or

10

local law enforcement officials to conduct investigations and

11

enforce the provisions of this act.

12

Section 16.  Section 14 of the act, amended July 11, 1990

13

(P.L.449, No.108) and December 19, 1990 (P.L.812, No.195), is

14

renumbered and amended to read:

15

Section [14] 703.  Local option.

16

(a)  Election to be held.--In any municipality, an election

17

may be held on the date of the primary election immediately

18

preceding any municipal election, but not more than once in four

19

years, to determine the will of the electors with respect to the

20

issuance of licenses within the limits of such municipality

21

under the provisions of this act. Where an election shall have

22

been held at the primary election preceding a municipal election

23

in any year, another election may be held under the provisions

24

of this act at the primary election occurring the fourth year

25

after such prior election. Whenever electors equal to at least

26

25% of the highest vote cast for any office in the municipality

27

at the last preceding general election shall file a petition

28

with the county board of elections of the county, or the

29

governing body of the municipality adopts, by a majority vote, a

30

resolution to place such a question on the ballot and a copy of

- 35 -

 


1

the resolution is filed with the board of elections of the

2

county, for a referendum on the question of issuing licenses,

3

the county board of elections shall cause a question to be

4

placed on the ballot or on the voting machine board and

5

submitted at the primary election immediately preceding the

6

municipal election. The question shall be in the following form:

7

Do you favor the issuance of licenses

8

to conduct small games of chance in the

9

                 of                  ?

10

(b)  Vote.--If a majority of the electors voting on the

11

question vote "yes," then licenses shall be issued by the

12

licensing authority in such municipality, but if a majority of

13

the electors voting on any such question vote "no," then the

14

licensing authority shall have no power to issue or to renew,

15

upon their expiration, any licenses in such municipality, unless

16

and until, at a later election, a majority of the voting

17

electors vote "yes" on such question.

18

(c)  Voting proceedings.--Proceedings under this section

19

shall be in accordance with the provisions of the act of June 3,

20

1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election

21

Code.

22

(d)  Applicability.--This act applies only to those eligible

23

organizations located in municipalities which have adopted the

24

provisions of this act by an affirmative vote in a municipal

25

referendum in accordance with the provisions of this section.

26

(e)  Withdrawal of approval.--The referendum procedure

27

contained in this section shall also be available to withdraw

28

the approval of the issuance of such licenses within such

29

municipality which was granted through a prior referendum.

30

(f)  Special exception.--Notwithstanding any other provision

- 36 -

 


1

of this act to the contrary, in any municipality except a city

2

of the first class where an election was held pursuant to this

3

section on May 16, 1989, and a majority of the electors voted

4

"NO" on the question, the municipality shall be able to resubmit

5

the question, in accordance with the procedures set forth in

6

this section, at the general election immediately following [the

7

effective date of this amendatory act] July 11, 1990.

8

Section 17.  Section 15 of the act, amended December 19, 1990

9

(P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered and amended to read:

10

Section [15] 704.  Advertising.

11

[It shall be unlawful for any eligible organization or person

12

to advertise the prizes or their dollar value to be awarded in

13

games of chance, provided that prizes may be identified on

14

raffle tickets. Notwithstanding the prohibition of advertising

15

contained within this section, an eligible organization may

16

advertise prizes and values thereof in periodic publications

17

which are limited in their circulation to members of the

18

eligible organization.] Any licensed eligible organization or

19

person may advertise the prizes to be awarded in games of chance

20

if the advertisements contain the date, time, location, the

21

prizes that will be awarded and the name of the licensed

22

eligible organization. Advertisements to the public may be no

23

larger than 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches. An eligible organization

24

may advertise prizes in periodic publications which are limited

25

in their circulation to members of the eligible organization.

26

This section shall not apply to a sign displayed inside the

27

licensed premises.

28

Section 18.  Section 16 of the act is renumbered and amended

29

to read:

30

Section [16] 705.  Certain persons prohibited.

- 37 -

 


1

No licensed distributor nor any person who has been convicted

2

of a felony or of a violation of the act of July 10, 1981

3

(P.L.214, No.67), known as the Bingo Law, or of this act or of

4

any comparable State or Federal law shall have a pecuniary

5

interest in the operation or proceeds of games of chance.

6

Section 19.  Section 17 of the act, amended December 19, 1990

7

(P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered and amended to read:

8

Section [17] 706.  [Penalties] Criminal penalties.

9

(a)  Eligible organizations.--Any eligible organization

10

violating the provisions of this act shall be guilty of a

11

summary offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced

12

to pay a fine not exceeding [$1,000 and shall] $2,000 for a

13

first offense[,] and not exceeding $3,000 for a subsequent

14

violation. In addition, the following shall apply:

15

(1)  For a first offense, the eligible organization shall 

16

forfeit the license to conduct games of chance issued to the

17

eligible organization for [the remainder of the licensing

18

period or six months, whichever is longer, for] a period of

19

not more than 30 days.

20

(2)  For a second offense[,] within three years of the

21

first offense, the eligible organization shall forfeit [the] 

22

its license [issued to the eligible organization for the

23

remainder of the current licensing period and be ineligible

24

to be licensed for the following licensing period,] for a

25

period of not less than 30 days nor more than 180 days.

26

(3)  For a third or subsequent offense[,] within three

27

years of the most recent offense, the eligible organization

28

shall forfeit [the] its license [issued to the eligible

29

organization] and be ineligible for a license renewal for 30

30

months thereafter.

- 38 -

 


1

(b)  Individuals.--Any person who conducts or assists in the

2

conducting of games of chance in violation of the provisions of

3

this act is guilty of a summary offense for a first violation. A

4

second violation of this act shall be punishable as a

5

misdemeanor of the third degree. A third or subsequent violation

6

shall be punishable as a misdemeanor of the first degree.

7

(c)  Distributors and manufacturers.--Any person who

8

distributes games of chance without a license or in violation of

9

any provision of this act or applicable regulations, and any

10

manufacturer of games of chance who delivers games of chance for

11

sale or distribution in this Commonwealth who fails to register

12

and obtain a permit therefor is guilty of a misdemeanor of the

13

first degree, provided that no license or permit shall be

14

required for the manufacture or distribution of raffle tickets.

15

(d)  Rigging.--A person commits a misdemeanor of the first

16

degree if, with intent to prevent a game of chance from being

17

conducted in accordance with the requirements of this act or the

18

rules and usages governing the game of chance, he:

19

(1)  confers or offers or agrees to confer any benefit

20

upon or threatens any injury to a participant or other person

21

associated with the game of chance;

22

(2)  tampers with any person associated with the game of

23

chance;

24

[(2)] (3)  tampers with any [person or games] small game

25

of chance; or

26

[(3)] (4)  solicits, accepts or agrees to accept any

27

benefit.

28

(e)  Contingent fees.--Any person who distributes,

29

manufactures or operates a small game of chance and who

30

requires, for equipment furnished or to play a game of chance,

- 39 -

 


1

payment equal to a percentage of the total winnings of any game

2

of chance commits a misdemeanor of the first degree.

3

Section 20.  The act is amended by adding a chapter heading

4

to read:

5

CHAPTER 31

6

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

7

Section 21.  Section 18 of the act is renumbered to read:

8

Section [18] 3101.  Effective date.

9

This act shall take effect in 60 days.

10

Section 22.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.

11

Section 1.  The act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262, No.156),

<--

12

known as the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act, is amended

13

by adding a chapter heading to read:

14

CHAPTER 1

15

PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

16

Section 2.  Section 1 of the act is renumbered to read:

17

Section [1] 101.  Short title.

18

This act shall be known and may be cited as the Local Option

19

Small Games of Chance Act.

20

Section 2.1.  Section 2 of the act is renumbered and amended

21

to read:

22

Section [2] 102.  Legislative intent.

23

The General Assembly hereby declares that the playing of

24

[small] games of chance for the purpose of raising funds, by

25

certain nonprofit associations, for the promotion of charitable

26

or civic purposes, is in the public interest. In some cases the

27

proceeds from games of chance may be utilized to support certain

28

operating expenses of certain organizations.

29

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the General

30

Assembly that all phases of licensing, operation and regulation

- 40 -

 


1

of [small] games of chance be strictly controlled, and that all

2

laws and regulations with respect thereto as well as all

3

gambling laws should be strictly construed and rigidly enforced.

4

The General Assembly recognizes the possibility of

5

association between commercial gambling and organized crime, and

6

wishes to discourage commercialization of [small] games of

7

chance, prevent participation by organized crime and prevent the

8

diversion of funds from the purposes herein authorized.

9

Section 3.  The definitions of "civic and service

10

associations," "club," "daily drawing," "eligible

11

organizations," "fraternal organizations," "games of chance,"

12

"public interest purposes," "raffle" and "weekly drawing" in

13

section 3 of the act, amended December 19, 1990 (P.L.812,

14

No.195) and October 18, 2000 (P.L.602, No.79), are amended and

15

the section is renumbered and amended by adding definitions to

16

read:

17

Section [3] 103.  Definitions.

18

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall

19

have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

20

context clearly indicates otherwise:

21

* * *

22

"Civic and service [associations] association."  Any

23

Statewide or branch, lodge or chapter of a nonprofit national or

24

State organization which is authorized by its written

25

constitution, charter, articles of incorporation or bylaws to

26

engage in a civic or service purpose within this Commonwealth,

27

which shall have existed in this Commonwealth for one year. The

28

term also means a similar local nonprofit organization, not

29

affiliated with a national or State organization, which is

30

recognized by a resolution adopted by the governing body of the

- 41 -

 


1

municipality in which the organization conducts its principal

2

activities. The term shall include[, but not be limited to,] 

3

Statewide or local bona fide sportsmen's and wildlife

4

associations, federations or clubs, [Statewide or local in

5

nature,] volunteer fire companies, volunteer rescue squads and

6

volunteer ambulance associations and [bona fide] senior citizens

7

organizations. In the case of bona fide senior citizens

8

organizations, the licensing authority may accept alternative

9

documentation for proof of purposes when there are no bylaws or

10

articles of incorporation in existence. The term shall also

11

include nonprofit organizations which are established to promote

12

and encourage participation and support for extracurricular

13

activities within the established primary and secondary public,

14

private and parochial school systems. Such organizations must be

15

recognized by a resolution adopted by the appropriate governing

16

body. In the case of organizations associated with the public

17

school system, the governing body shall be the school board of

18

the school district. In the case of private or parochial school

19

organizations, that body shall be either the board of trustees

20

or the Archdiocese.

21

"Club."  [A club, as defined in section 102] An organization

22

that:

23

(1)  is licensed to sell liquor under section 404 of the

24

act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor

25

Code[, that]; and

26

(2)  qualifies as an exempt organization under section

27

501(c) or 527 of the Internal Revenue Code of [1954 (68A

28

Stat. 3] 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 501(c) or 527)

29

[and is licensed to sell liquor at retail and has a

30

charitable, religious or civic purpose or is organized to

- 42 -

 


1

benefit a political party].

2

"Club licensee."  A club that holds a license to conduct

3

small games of chance.

4

"Daily drawing."  A game of chance in which a bona fide

5

member selects or is assigned a number for a chance at a prize

6

with the winner determined by [a] random drawing to take place

7

on the licensed eligible organization's licensed premises during

8

the same operating day. The term includes games of chance 

9

commonly known as "member sign-in lotteries" and "half-and-half

10

lotteries." [Nothing in this act shall be construed to prohibit

11

the carrying over of a jackpot where the winning number has not

12

been entered in the game on a particular operating day.] Daily

13

drawing winners may be determined with the aid of a passive

14

selection device or reference to drawings conducted by the

15

department pursuant to the act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351,

16

No.91), known as the State Lottery Law. Daily drawing chances

17

may not be sold for an amount in excess of $1, and no more than

18

one chance per individual may be sold [to an individual during

19

the same operating day] per drawing. Nothing in this definition

20

shall restrict an eligible organization from conducting more

21

than one drawing per day.

22

* * *

23

"Eligible [organizations."  Includes qualifying nonprofit

24

charitable, religious, fraternal and veterans organizations,

25

clubs and civic and service associations as defined by this act] 

26

organization." A charitable, religious, fraternal or veterans'

27

organization, club, club licensee or civic and service

28

association. In order to qualify as an eligible organization for

29

purposes of this act, an organization shall have been in

30

existence and fulfilling its purposes for one year prior to the

- 43 -

 


1

date of application for a license.

2

"Fraternal [organizations] organization."  A nonprofit

3

organization within this Commonwealth which is created and

4

carried on for the mutual benefit of its members, has a limited

5

membership and a representative form of government and is a

6

branch, lodge or chapter of a national or State organization.

7

Such organizations shall have been in existence in this

8

Commonwealth and fulfilling their purposes for one year prior to

9

the date of application for a license.

10

"Games of chance."  Punchboards, daily drawings, weekly

11

drawings, raffles and pull-tabs, as defined in this act,

12

provided that no such game shall be played by or with the

13

assistance of any mechanical or electrical devices or media

14

other than a dispensing machine or passive selection device and

15

further provided that the particular chance taken by any person

16

in any such game shall not be made contingent upon any other

17

occurrence or the winning of any other contest, but shall be

18

determined solely at the discretion of the purchaser. This

19

definition shall not be construed to authorize any other form of

20

gambling currently prohibited under any provision of Title 18 of

21

the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (relating to crimes and

22

offenses) or authorized under 4 Pa.C.S. (relating to

23

amusements). Nothing in this act shall be construed to authorize

24

games commonly known as "slot machines" or "video poker."

25

* * *

26

"Licensed distributor."  A distributor of games of chance

27

licensed under section 307.

28

* * *

29

"Prize."  Cash or merchandise awarded for games of chance.

30

"Proceeds."  The difference between:

- 44 -

 


1

(1)  the actual gross revenue collected by a licensed

2

eligible organization from a game of chance; and

3

(2)  the actual amount of prizes paid by a licensed

4

eligible organization from a game of chance, plus the cost to

5

purchase games of chance.

6

"Public interest [purposes] purpose."  One or more of the

7

following:

8

(1)  [Benefiting persons by enhancing their opportunity

9

for religious or education advancement, by relieving or

10

protecting them from disease, suffering or distress, by

11

contributing to their physical, emotional or social well-

12

being, by assisting them in establishing themselves in life

13

as worthy and useful citizens or by increasing their

14

comprehension of and devotion to the principles upon which

15

this nation was founded.] The activities and operations of a

16

nonprofit benevolent, religious, educational, philanthropic,

17

humane, scientific, patriotic, social welfare, social

18

advocacy, public health, public safety, emergency response,

19

environmental or civic objective.

20

(2)  Initiating, performing or fostering worthy public

21

works or enabling or furthering the erection or maintenance

22

of public structures.

23

(3)  Lessening the burdens borne by government or

24

voluntarily supporting, augmenting or supplementing services

25

which government would normally render to the people.

26

(4)  Improving, expanding, maintaining or repairing real

27

property owned or leased by an eligible organization and

28

relating operational expenses used for purposes specified in

<--

29

paragraphs (1), (2) and (3).

30

The term does not include the erection or acquisition of any

- 45 -

 


1

real property, unless the property will be used exclusively for

2

one or more of the purposes specified in this definition.

3

* * *

4

"Raffle."  A game of chance in which a participant buys a

5

ticket for a chance at a prize with the winner determined by a

6

random drawing of corresponding ticket stubs to take place at a

7

location and date or dates printed upon each ticket. Such games

8

of chance shall include lotteries but not daily drawings. Raffle

9

winners may be determined by reference to drawings conducted by

10

the department pursuant to the act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351,

11

No.91), known as the State Lottery Law.

12

* * *

13

"Weekly drawing."  A game of chance in which a bona fide

14

member selects or receives a number or numbers for a chance at a

15

prize with the winner determined by a random drawing to take

16

place on the licensed eligible organization's licensed premises

17

at the end of a seven-day period. [Nothing in this act shall be

18

construed to prohibit the carrying over of a jackpot where the

19

winning number has not been entered in the game in a particular

20

week.] Weekly drawing winners may be determined with the aid of

21

a passive selection device or reference to drawings conducted by

22

the Department of Revenue pursuant to the act of August 26, 1971

23

(P.L.351, No.91), known as the State Lottery Law. Weekly drawing

24

chances may not be sold for an amount in excess of $1.

25

Section 4.  The act is amended by adding a chapter heading to

26

read:

27

CHAPTER 3

28

GAMES OF CHANCE

29

Section 5.  Section 4 of the act, amended December 19, 1990

30

(P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered and amended to read:

- 46 -

 


1

Section [4] 301.  Games of chance permitted.

2

Every eligible organization to which a license has been

3

issued under the provisions of this [act] chapter may conduct

4

games of chance for the purpose of raising funds for public

5

interest purposes. [All] Except as provided in Chapter 5, all 

6

proceeds of [games of chance] a licensed eligible organization 

7

shall be used exclusively for public interest purposes or for

8

the purchase of games of chance as permitted by this act.

9

Section 6.  Section 5 of the act, amended December 19, 1990

10

(P.L.812, No.195) and October 18, 2000 (P.L.602, No.79), is

11

renumbered and amended to read:

12

Section [5] 302.  Prize limits.

13

(a)  Individual prize limit.--[The] Except as provided under

14

subsections (c) and (d) subsections (d) and (d.1), the maximum

<--

15

[cash value] prize which may be awarded for any single chance

16

shall be [$500] $1,000.

17

(b)  [Weekly] Aggregate prize limit.--No more than [$5,000] 

18

$25,000 in [cash or merchandise] prizes shall be awarded from

19

games of chance by [any] a licensed eligible organization in any

20

seven-day period.

21

(c)  [Limit on raffles] Raffle prize limit.--[No more than

22

$5,000 in cash or merchandise shall] Up to $10,000 in prizes may 

23

be awarded in raffles in any calendar month.

24

(c.1)  Total limit.--All prizes awarded under this section

25

shall be subject to the aggregate prize limits under subsection

26

(b).

27

(d)  Exception for raffles.--[An] Notwithstanding subsection

28

(b) or (c), a licensed eligible organization may conduct a

29

raffle and award a prize or prizes valued in excess of [$500] 

30

$1,000 each only under the following conditions:

- 47 -

 


1

(1)  The licensing authority has issued a special permit

2

for the raffle under section [11] 308.

3

(2)  [Eligible organizations] A licensed eligible

4

organization shall be eligible to receive no more than [two] 

5

eight special permits in any licensed [year] term except that

6

a volunteer fire, ambulance [and] or rescue [organizations] 

7

organization that is not a club licensee shall be eligible to

8

receive [no more than three] ten special permits in any

9

licensed [year] term.

10

(3)  Only one raffle may be conducted under each special

11

permit issued under section 308.

12

(4)  [The] Except as provided under paragraph (5) 

<--

13

subsection (d.1), the total [cash value] of all prizes

<--

14

awarded under this subsection shall be no more than [$100,000

<--

15

per calendar year.] $200,000 per licensed term.

<--

16

(5)  A volunteer fire, ambulance or rescue organization

<--

17

(d.1)  Additional award.--A volunteer fire, ambulance or

<--

18

rescue organization may, in addition to the total under

19

paragraph (4), award up to $50,000 from raffles which shall not

20

be subject to the aggregate limit under subsection (b) or (c), 

<--

21

(c) or (d).

22

[(e)  Limit on daily drawings.--Daily drawings shall be

23

governed by the prize limitations contained in subsections (a)

24

and (b). An eligible organization shall not conduct daily

25

drawings during a period when a weekly drawing is taking place.]

26

(f)  [Exception] Daily drawing carryover.--The prize

27

limitation contained in subsections (a) and (b) may be exceeded

28

by a daily drawing under the following circumstances: a daily

29

drawing may award a prize [where the cash value is] in excess of

30

[$500] $1,000 if such prize is the result of a carryover of a

- 48 -

 


1

drawing [or drawings] which resulted from the winning number in

2

such drawing [or drawings] not being among the eligible entrants

3

in such drawings. Nothing contained herein shall authorize the

4

prize [limitations] limitation as contained in subsections (a)

5

and (b) to be exceeded as a result of a failure to conduct a

6

drawing on an operating day during which chances were sold for a

7

daily drawing or for a daily drawing for which chances were sold

8

in excess of $1 or for which more than one chance was sold to an

9

eligible participant.

10

(g)  [Daily drawing and weekly drawing] Additional 

11

exception.--When a daily drawing or weekly drawing is set up or

12

conducted in such a manner as to pay out or award 100% of the

13

gross revenues generated from such drawing, the [limitations] 

14

limitation contained in subsection (b) shall not apply.

15

(h)  [Limit on weekly drawings] Weekly drawing carryover

16

exception.--Weekly drawings shall be governed by the prize

17

[limitations] limitation contained in subsection (b). [The prize

<--

18

limitation contained in subsection (b) may be exceeded by a

19

weekly drawing under the following circumstances: a weekly

20

drawing may award a prize where the cash value is in excess of

21

[$5,000] $25,000 if such prize is the result of a carryover of a

<--

22

drawing or drawings which resulted from the winning number or

23

numbers in such drawing or drawings not being among the eligible

24

entrants in such drawings.] The portion of a prize awarded in a

<--

25

weekly drawing that results from the carryover of a weekly

26

drawing in which the number or numbers were not among the

27

eligible entrants in the drawing shall not be included when

28

applying the limitation under subsection (b). Nothing contained

29

in this [act] chapter shall authorize the prize [limitations as

30

contained in] limitation under subsection (b) to be exceeded as

- 49 -

 


1

a result of a failure to conduct a drawing for a week during

2

which chances were sold for a weekly drawing or for a weekly

3

drawing for which chances were sold in excess of $1. [An

4

eligible organization shall not conduct weekly drawings during a

5

period when a daily drawing is taking place.]

6

Section 7.  Sections 6 and 7 of the act, amended December 19,

7

1990 (P.L.812, No.195), are renumbered and amended to read:

8

Section [6] 303.  Sales limited.

9

(a)  General rule.--No person shall sell, offer for sale or

10

furnish games of chance for use within this Commonwealth except

11

to an eligible organization or [distributor] licensed

12

distributor under this [act] chapter.

13

(b)  Organizations Limitation.--No game of chance, other than

<--

14

a raffle under section 302(d), sold, offered for sale or

15

furnished to a licensed eligible organization for use within

16

this Commonwealth shall contain, permit, depict or designate a

17

prize having a [cash value] prize limit in excess of [$500] 

18

$1,000.

19

Section [7] 304.  Distributor licenses.

20

(a)  License required.--No person shall sell, offer for sale

21

or furnish games of chance to eligible organizations licensed

22

under this [act] chapter unless such person shall have obtained

23

a distributor license as provided in this section.

24

(b)  Application.--An applicant for the grant or renewal of a

25

distributor license issued pursuant to this section shall

26

provide to the department, upon the form prescribed, all of the

27

following:

28

(1)  The applicant's State sales tax number.

29

(2)  The applicant's State corporate tax number.

30

(3)  The applicant's State employer withholding tax

- 50 -

 


1

number.

2

(4)  The applicant's unemployment compensation account

3

number.

4

(5)  A statement that:

5

(i)  all State tax reports have been filed and all

6

State taxes paid;

7

(ii)  all State taxes are subject to a timely

8

administrative or judicial appeal; or

9

(iii)  all State taxes are subject to a duly approved

10

deferred payment plan.

11

(6)  The names and business addresses of all owners,

12

officers, directors, partners and sales personnel.

13

(c)  Waiver of confidentiality.--An applicant for the grant

14

or renewal of [any] a distributor license issued pursuant to

15

this section shall, by the filing of an application insofar as

16

it relates to the department, waive any confidentiality with

17

respect to State tax information in the possession of the

18

department, the Office of Attorney General or the Department of

19

Labor and Industry regarding that applicant, regardless of the

20

source of that information, and shall consent to the providing

21

of that information to the department by the Office of Attorney

22

General or the Department of Labor and Industry.

23

(d)  Review of tax status.--Upon receipt of any application

24

for the grant or renewal of [any] a distributor license issued

25

pursuant to this section, the department shall review the State

26

tax status of the applicant. The department shall request State

27

tax information regarding the applicant from the Office of

28

Attorney General or the Department of Labor and Industry and

29

that information shall be provided.

30

(e)  Limitation on approval.--The department shall not

- 51 -

 


1

approve any application for the grant or renewal of [any] a

2

distributor license issued pursuant to this section where the

3

applicant has failed to:

4

(1)  provide any of the information required by

5

subsection (b);

6

(2)  file required State tax reports; or

7

(3)  pay any State taxes not subject to a timely

8

administrative or judicial appeal or subject to a duly

9

authorized deferred payment plan.

10

(f)  Records.--[The] A distributor licensee shall keep such

11

records, reports and books as the department shall prescribe.

12

Applicants shall be required to make such records, reports and

13

books available as required by the department pursuant to

14

regulation.

15

(g)  Ineligibility.--The department shall not issue or renew

16

a distributor license for the sale of games of chance to a

17

person, including any corporation, firm or partnership which has

18

as an officer, director or other person in a supervisory or

19

management position, or employee eligible to make sales on

20

behalf of the distributor, who:

21

(1)  has been convicted of a felony in a state or Federal

22

court within the past five years; or

23

(2)  has been convicted within ten years of the date of

24

application in a state or Federal court of a violation of the

25

act of July 10, 1981 (P.L.214, No.67), known as the Bingo

26

Law, or of this act or of a gambling-related offense under

27

Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (relating

28

to crimes and offenses) or other comparable State or Federal

29

law.

30

(h)  License and renewal fees.--The fee for a distributor

- 52 -

 


1

license shall be $1,000. Licenses shall be renewable on an

2

annual basis.

3

(i)  Exception.--This section shall not apply to the

4

manufacture or distribution of raffle tickets.

5

Section 8.  Section 8 of the act is renumbered to read:

6

Section [8] 305.  Registration of manufacturers.

7

(a)  Registration required.--No manufacturer of games of

8

chance shall sell any games of chance to any person unless the

9

manufacturer has registered with the department and has been

10

issued a certificate of registration.

11

(b)  Annual certificate; fee.--A certificate under this

12

section shall be valid for one year. The annual fee for

13

registration shall be $2,000.

14

(c)  Prohibited sales.--A manufacturer shall not sell games

15

of chance to any person not licensed as a distributor unless the

16

manufacturer is also a licensed distributor.

17

(d)  Exception.--This section shall not apply to the

18

manufacture or distribution of raffle tickets.

19

Section 9.  Section 9 of the act, amended December 19, 1990

20

(P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered and amended to read:

21

Section [9] 306.  Regulations of department.

22

(a)  Authorization.--The department shall promulgate

23

regulations to:

24

(1)  Impose minimum standards and restrictions applicable

25

to games of chance manufactured for sale in this

26

Commonwealth, which may include standards and restrictions

27

which specify the maximum number of chances available to be

28

sold for any single game of chance or prize and such other

29

standards and restrictions as the department deems necessary

30

for the purposes of this [act] chapter. The department shall

- 53 -

 


1

consider standards adopted by the National Association of

2

Gambling Regulatory Agencies and other standards commonly

3

accepted in the industry.

4

(2)  Establish procedures by which manufacturers may

5

register and distributors of games of chance may apply for

6

licensure on forms which the department shall provide.

7

Procedures shall include a requirement that manufacturer and

8

distributor applicants provide criminal history record

9

information obtained from the Pennsylvania State Police under

10

18 Pa.C.S. § 9121(b) (relating to general regulations) for

11

each officer and manager of the manufacturer's or

12

distributor's organization and for any other individual

13

specified by the department. As used in this paragraph, the

14

term "criminal history record information" has the meaning

15

given in 18 Pa.C.S. § 9102 (relating to definitions).

16

(3)  Provide for the suspension or revocation of

17

distribution licenses or manufacturer certificates for

18

violations of this act or regulations of the department.

19

(4)  Carry out other provisions of this act.

20

(b)  Limitation on recordkeeping requirements.--This section

21

shall not be construed to authorize the department to promulgate

22

regulations providing for recordkeeping requirements for

23

licensed eligible organizations which require unreasonable or

24

unnecessary information or a repetitious listing of information.

25

The department shall strive to keep such recordkeeping

26

requirements from being an undue hardship or burden on licensed 

27

eligible organizations. [Under no circumstances shall] Except as

<--

28

provided under section 701(b), the department may not require

<--

29

the retention of records for a period in excess of two years.

30

(c)  Reporting requirements.--Each eligible organization

- 54 -

 


1

shall file submit an annual report to the department including:

<--

2

(1)  Prizes awarded as required under section 335 of the

3

act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform

4

Code of 1971.

5

(2)  Amounts expended for public interest purposes.

6

Section 10.  Section 10 of the act, amended December 19, 1990

7

(P.L.812, No.195) and October 18, 2000 (P.L.602, No.79), is

8

renumbered and amended to read:

9

Section [10] 307.  Licensing of eligible organizations to

10

conduct games of chance.

11

(a)  License required.--No eligible organization shall

12

conduct or operate any games of chance unless such eligible

13

organization has obtained and maintains a valid license or

14

limited occasion license issued pursuant to this section.

15

[Auxiliary groups within] An auxiliary group of a licensed 

16

eligible [organizations] organization shall be eligible to

17

conduct [small] games of chance using the license issued to the

18

eligible organization provided that the auxiliary group or

19

groups are listed on the application and license of the eligible

20

organization. An auxiliary group is not eligible to obtain a

21

license or a limited occasion license. No additional licensing

22

fee shall be charged for an auxiliary group's eligibility under

23

this [act] chapter. Auxiliary groups shall not include branches,

24

lodges or chapters of a Statewide organization.

25

(b)  Issuance and fees.--The licensing authority shall

26

license, upon application, within 30 days any eligible

27

organization meeting the requirements for licensure contained in

28

this [act] chapter to conduct and operate games of chance at

29

such locations within the county or in such manner as stated on

30

the application as limited by subsection (b.1). The license fee

- 55 -

 


1

to be charged to each eligible organization shall be [$100] 

<--

2

$200, except for limited occasion licenses which shall be [$10] 

<--

3

$20. Licenses shall be renewable [annually] on a biennial basis 

<--

4

upon the anniversary of the date of issue. The license fee shall

5

be used by the licensing authority to administer this act.

6

(b.1)  Location of [small] games of chance.--

7

(1)  Every licensed eligible organization, except a

8

limited occasion licensee, may conduct small games of chance

9

only at a licensed premises. The licensed premises shall be

10

indicated on the eligible organization's license application.

11

Only one license shall be issued per licensed premises.

12

Except as provided under paragraph (4), a licensed eligible

13

organization may not share a licensed premises with another

14

licensed eligible organization; and no licensed eligible

15

organization may permit its premises to be used for small

16

games of chance by another licensed eligible organization.

17

(2)  Where there exists a location or premises which is

18

the normal business or operating site of the eligible

19

organization and the location or premises is owned or leased

20

by that eligible organization to conduct its normal business,

21

that site shall be the eligible organization's licensed

22

premises [for small games of chance conducted by the eligible

23

organization]. If that location consists of more than one

24

building [and the eligible organization wishes to conduct its

25

games in a different building at that location from the one

26

that is listed on its application and license, the eligible

27

organization must notify, in writing, the district attorney

28

and the licensing authority of the change in building site

29

and the dates and times that will be affected], the eligible

30

organization shall choose the building that will be the

- 56 -

 


1

licensed premises.

2

(3)  When an eligible organization does not own or lease

3

a specific location to conduct its normal business, [that] 

4

the eligible organization [may use another eligible

5

organization's premises to conduct its games or] may make

6

[such other] arrangements that are consistent with this act

7

to establish a licensed premises, including[, but not limited

8

to,] leasing a premise under a written agreement for a rental

9

[which is not]; however, the rental may not be determined by

10

either the amount of receipts realized from the [playing] 

11

conduct of games of chance [nor] or the number of people

12

attending [except that an]. An eligible organization may

13

lease a facility for a banquet [where a per head charge is

14

applied] in connection with the serving of a meal based on a

15

per-head charge. [When such eligible organization changes the

16

site of its games from that which is listed on its

17

application and license, the eligible organization must

18

notify, in writing, the district attorney and licensing

19

authority of the change in their games' site and dates and

20

times that will be affected.]

21

(4)  An eligible organization that has obtained a limited

22

occasion license under subsection (b.3) may use another

23

eligible organization's licensed premises to conduct its

24

games of chance. When a licensed eligible organization is

25

permitting a limited occasion licensee to use its licensed

26

premises for purposes of games of chance, it shall cease the

27

operation of its own games of chance during the period that

28

the limited occasion licensee is conducting its games on the

29

premises.

30

(b.2)  Off-premises games of chance.--Notwithstanding any

- 57 -

 


1

other provisions of this section, [an] all of the following

2

apply:

3

(1)  A licensed eligible organization may conduct [small] 

4

games of chance at a location off its premises when [such

5

games] the games of chance are part of an annual carnival,

6

fair, picnic or banquet held or participated in by that

7

licensed eligible organization on a historical basis. The

8

licensed eligible organization must notify, in writing, the

9

district attorney and licensing authority of the location,

10

date and times of [such events] the event where it will be

11

conducting [small] games of chance.

12

(2)  Raffle tickets may be sold off the licensed premises

13

in a municipality which has adopted the provisions of this

14

act by an affirmative vote in a municipal referendum. A

15

licensed eligible organization which plans to sell raffle

16

tickets in a municipality located in a county other than the

17

county in which the eligible organization is licensed shall

18

notify that county's district attorney and licensing

19

authority as to the location and the dates that the licensed

20

eligible organization plans to sell raffle tickets.

21

(b.3)  Limited occasion licenses.--Eligible organizations

22

which do not own their own premises or which do not lease a

23

specific location to conduct their normal business may apply for

24

a limited occasion license to conduct [small] games of chance on

25

not more than three occasions covering a total of seven days

26

during a licensed year. A limited occasion license entitles an 

27

eligible [organizations holding such a license] organization to

28

conduct no more than two raffles during a licensed year where

29

prizes may not exceed the established limits for regular monthly

30

raffles. Holders of a limited occasion [licenses] license may

- 58 -

 


1

not apply or be granted any other license or special permit

2

under this act. No holder of a regular license or special permit

3

under this act shall apply or be granted a limited occasion

4

license.

5

(b.4)  Gambling facility prohibited.--It shall be unlawful

6

for a person, corporation, association, partnership or other

7

business entity to offer for rent or offer for use a building or

8

facility to be used exclusively for the [conducting] conduct of

9

[small] games of chance. It shall also be unlawful for any

10

eligible organization to rent or lease under any terms a

<--

11

[facility or] building or facility which is used exclusively for

12

the [conducting] conduct of [small] games of chance.

13

(c)  Display.--Licenses issued pursuant to this section shall

14

be publicly displayed at the site [of the small] where games of

15

chance will be are conducted.

<--

16

(d)  Operation.--Each licensed eligible organization shall

17

[comply with the following restrictions and rules governing the

18

operation of games of chance] be prohibited from the following:

19

(1)  [No] Permitting any person under 18 years of age

20

[shall be permitted] to operate or play games of chance.

21

(2)  [No eligible organization shall permit] Permitting 

22

any person who has been convicted of a felony in a Federal or

23

State court within the past five years or has been convicted

24

in a Federal or State court within the past ten years of a

25

violation of the act of July 10, 1981 (P.L.214, No.67), known

26

as the Bingo Law, or of this act to manage, set up, supervise

27

or participate in the operation of games of chance.

28

(3)  [No eligible organization shall pay] Paying any

29

compensation to any person for conducting any games of

30

chance. Games of chance may only be conducted by managers,

- 59 -

 


1

officers, directors, bar personnel and bona fide members of

2

the eligible organization.

3

(4)  [Games shall be conducted only] Conducting games of

4

chance on any premises other than on the licensed premises or

5

as otherwise provided by this [act] chapter.

6

(5)  [The eligible organization shall not lease such] 

7

Leasing the licensed premises under either an oral or a

8

written agreement for a rental which is determined by either

9

the amount of receipts realized from the playing of games of

10

chance or the number of people attending, except that an

11

eligible organization may lease a facility for a banquet

12

where a per head charge is applied in connection with the

13

serving of a meal. An eligible organization shall not lease

14

such premises from any person who has been convicted of a

15

violation of this act or the Bingo Law within the past ten

16

years.

17

(6)  [Games] Purchasing games of chance, other than

18

raffles, daily drawings and weekly drawings, [shall be

19

purchased only from manufacturers and distributors] from any

20

person other than a registered manufacturer or licensed

21

distributor approved by the department.

22

[(7)  No licensed eligible organization shall permit its

23

premises to be used for small games of chance by another

24

licensed eligible organization at the same time that it is

25

conducting small games of chance on the premises. When a

26

licensed eligible organization is permitting another licensed

27

eligible organization to use its premises for purposes of

28

small games of chance, it must cease the operation of its own

29

small games of chance during the period that the other

30

licensed eligible organization is conducting its games on the

- 60 -

 


1

premises.

2

(8)  Raffle tickets may be sold off the licensed premise

3

in any municipality in this Commonwealth which has adopted

4

the provisions of this act by an affirmative vote in a

5

municipal referendum. A licensed eligible organization which

6

plans to sell raffle tickets in a municipality located in a

7

county other than the county in which the eligible

8

organization is licensed must notify that county's district

9

attorney and licensing authority as to the location and the

10

dates that the eligible organization plans to sell raffle

11

tickets.]

12

(d.1)  Bank account and records.--The licensed eligible

13

organization shall keep a bank account to hold the proceeds of

14

games of chance, which shall be separate from all other funds

15

belonging to the licensed eligible organization. Account records

16

shall show all expenditures and income and shall be retained by

17

the licensed eligible organization for at least two years.

18

(e)  Application for license.--Each eligible organization

19

shall apply to the licensing authority for a license on a form

20

to be prescribed by the Secretary of Revenue. For a club

21

license, the application and each renewal application shall

<--

22

include the most recent annual report filed by the club licensee

23

under Chapter 5. The form shall contain an affidavit to be

24

affirmed by the executive officer or secretary of the eligible

25

organization stating that:

26

(1)  No person under 18 years of age will be permitted by

27

the eligible organization to operate or play games of chance.

28

(2)  The facility in which the games of chance are to be

29

played has adequate means of ingress and egress and adequate

30

sanitary facilities available in the area.

- 61 -

 


1

(3)  The eligible organization is not leasing such

2

premises from the owner thereof under an oral agreement, nor

3

is it leasing such premises from the owner thereof under a

4

written agreement at a rental which is determined by the

5

amount of receipts realized from the playing of games of

6

chance or by the number of people attending, except that an

7

eligible organization may lease a facility for a banquet

8

where a per head charge is applied in connection with the

9

serving of a meal.

10

(e.1)  Proceedings.--Proceedings before the licensing

11

authority are subject to 2 Pa.C.S. Chs. 5 Subch. B (relating to

12

practice and procedure of local agencies) and 7 Subch. B

13

(relating to judicial review of local agency action).

14

(f)  List of licensees.--The licensing authority, on a

15

semiannual basis, shall send a copy of all licensees to the

16

[Department of Revenue] department.

<--

17

(g)  List of municipalities.--The licensing authority shall

18

include with any license or renewal license issued to an

19

eligible organization, an up-to-date listing of those

20

municipalities within the licensing county which have approved

21

the referendum question on small games of chance.

22

(h)  Background checks.--Each application for a license shall

23

include the results of a criminal history record information

24

check obtained from the Pennsylvania State Police, as defined in

25

18 Pa.C.S. § 9102 (relating to definitions) and permitted by 18

26

Pa.C.S. § 9121(b) (relating to general regulations), for the

27

executive officer and secretary of the eligible organization

28

making the application for a license or any other person

29

required by the department.

30

Section 11.  Section 11 of the act, amended December 19, 1990

- 62 -

 


1

(P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered and amended to read:

2

Section [11] 308.  Special permits.

3

(a)  Issuance and fee.--The licensing authority shall issue a

4

special permit for each raffle in which the [licensee] licensed

5

eligible organization proposes to award individual prizes

6

[having a cash value] in excess of [$500] $1,000. The licensing

7

authority may establish and collect a fee not to exceed $25 for

8

the issuance of special permits under this section.

9

(b)  Permit application.--Each special permit application

10

shall specify the location where the actual drawing will be

11

held, the number of chances to be sold, the price per chance and

12

the [cash value of the prize or prizes] prize to be awarded.

13

Section 12.  The act is amended by adding a chapter to read:

14

CHAPTER 5

15

CLUB LICENSEES

16

Section 501.  Club licensee.

17

(a)  Report.--

18

(1)  Beginning in 2013, the a club licensee shall submit

<--

19

semi-annual reports to the department for the preceding six-

20

month period on a form and in a manner prescribed by the

21

department.

22

(2)  The report must be filed under oath or affirmation

23

of an authorized officer of the club licensee.

24

(3)  The report shall include all of the following

25

information:

26

(i)  The proceeds received by the club licensee from

27

each game of chance conducted, itemized by week.

28

(ii)  The amount of prizes paid from all games of

29

chance, itemized by week.

30

(iii)  The amount of proceeds for all games of chance

<--

- 63 -

 


1

not purchased from a licensed distributor operated in the

2

prior calendar year.

3

(iv) (iii)  Other costs incurred related to the

<--

4

conduct of games of chance.

5

(v) (iv)  The verification of amounts distributed for

<--

6

public interest purposes itemized under section

7

502(a)(1), itemized by the recipient.

8

(vi) (v)  An itemized list of expenditures made or

<--

9

amounts retained and expenditures under section

10

502(a)(3).

11

(vii) (vi)  The address and the county in which the

<--

12

club licensee is located.

13

(viii) (vii)  Other information or documentation

<--

14

required by the department.

15

(b)  Distribution.--The department shall provide a copy of

16

the report to the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement.

17

(c)  Posting.--The reports under subsection (a) shall be

18

published on the department's Internet website.

19

Section 502.  Distribution of proceeds.

20

(a)  Distribution.--The proceeds from games of chance

21

received by a club licensee shall be distributed as follows:

22

(1)  No less than 70% of the proceeds shall be paid to

23

organizations other than the club licensee for public

<--

24

interest purposes in the calendar year in which the proceeds

25

were obtained.

26

(2)  No more than 30% of the proceeds obtained in a

27

calendar year may be retained by a club licensee and used for

28

the following operational expenses relating to the real

<--

29

property of the club licensee:

30

(i)  Real property taxes.

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1

(ii)  Utility and fuel costs.

2

(iii)  Heating and air conditioning equipment or

3

repair costs.

4

(iv)  Water and sewer costs.

5

(v)  Property or liability insurance costs.

6

(vi)  Mortgage payments.

7

(vii)  Interior and exterior repair costs, including

8

repair to parking lots.

9

(viii)  New facility construction costs.

10

(ix)  Entertainment equipment, including television,

11

video and electronic games.

12

(x)  Other expenses adopted in regulation by the

<--

13

department.

14

(a.1)  Amounts retained.--Amounts retained by a club licensee

15

under subsection (a)(2) shall be expended within the same

16

calendar year unless the club licensee notifies the department

17

that funds are being retained for a substantial purchase or

18

project. Notification shall include a description of the

19

purchase or project, the cost and the anticipated date of the

20

purchase or the project.

21

(b)  Prohibition.--Proceeds shall not be used for wages,

<--

22

alcohol or food purchases or for the payment of any fine levied

23

against the club licensee.

24

(b)  Prohibition.--

<--

25

(1)  Proceeds shall not be used for wages, alcohol or

26

food purchases or for the payment of any fine levied against

27

the club licensee.

28

(2)  An officer or employee of a club licensee who

29

operates the game of chance shall not participate in the

30

game. This paragraph shall not apply to a raffle.

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1

Section 503.  Records.

2

A club licensee shall maintain records as required by this

3

act or by the department, including invoices for games of chance

<--

4

purchased. Records necessary to conduct an audit under section

5

702(c) 702(b) shall be made available to the Bureau of Liquor

<--

6

Control Enforcement or other entity authorized to enforce this

7

act.

8

Section 504.  Raffle tickets.

9

A club licensee shall purchase all raffle tickets from a

<--

10

licensed distributor. maintain records relating to the printing

<--

11

or purchase of raffle tickets. Records shall include a receipt

12

or invoice from the place of purchase that shows the cost and

13

number or amount of tickets purchased.

14

Section 505.  Weekly drawings.

15

A club licensee shall maintain records relating to the

16

printing or purchase of materials to be used for weekly

17

drawings. Records shall include a receipt or invoice from the

<--

18

place of purchase that shows the cost and number or amount of

<--

19

materials purchased. Records shall include potential proceeds,

<--

20

drawings sold and such other information as the Bureau of Liquor

21

Control Enforcement may require to monitor and audit weekly

22

drawings.

23

Section 13.  The act is amended by adding a chapter heading

24

to read:

25

CHAPTER 7

26

ENFORCEMENT

27

Section 14.  Section 12 of the act, amended December 19, 1990

28

(P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered and amended to read:

29

Section [12] 701.  Revocation of licenses.

30

(a)  Grounds.--The [licensing authority shall revoke or

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1

refuse to renew the license of any eligible organization

2

whenever the district attorney finds upon complaint and

3

investigation that] following shall be grounds for suspension,

4

revocation or nonrenewal of a license:

5

(1)  Any of the [funds] proceeds derived from the

<--

6

operation of games of chance by an eligible organization are

7

used for any purpose other than for:

8

(i)  public interest purposes [or for];

9

(ii)  the purchase of games of chance [as]; or

10

(iii)  a purpose permitted by [this act] Chapter 5.

11

(1.1)  Any of the funds derived from the operation of

12

games of chance by a club licensee are used in a manner that

13

does not comply with section 502.

14

(2)  Any person under 18 years of age is operating or

15

playing games of chance [as defined in this act].

16

(3)  The eligible organization has permitted any person

17

who has been convicted of a felony in a Federal or State

18

court within the past five years or has been convicted in a

19

Federal or State court within the past ten years of a

20

violation of the act of July 10, 1981 (P.L.214, No.67), known

21

as the Bingo Law, or of this act, to manage, set up,

22

supervise or participate in the operation of games of chance.

23

(4)  The facility in which the games of chance are played

24

does not have adequate means of ingress and egress and does

25

not have adequate sanitary facilities available in the area.

26

(5)  Any person or persons other than a manager, officer,

27

director, bar personnel or a bona fide member of an eligible

28

organization have been involved in managing, setting up,

29

operating or running games of chance.

30

(6)  Any person has received compensation for conducting

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1

games of chance.

2

(7)  Any prize has been awarded in excess of the limits

3

permitted under this act.

4

(8)  The eligible organization has violated any condition

5

of a special permit issued pursuant to section [11] 308.

6

(9)  The eligible organization conducts the games of

7

chance under a lease which calls for:

8

(i)  leasing such premises from the owner thereof

9

under an oral agreement; or

10

(ii)  leasing such premises from the owner thereof

11

under a written agreement at a rental which is determined

12

by the amount of receipts realized from the playing of

13

games of chance.

14

(10)  False or erroneous information was provided in the

15

original application or in any information provided to the

16

licensing authority or the department in any report.

17

(11)  An eligible organization has been convicted of a

18

violation of this act as evidenced by a certified record of

19

the conviction.

20

(12)  The eligible organization has permitted another

21

eligible organization to conduct [small] games of chance on

22

its licensed premises without suspending its own operation of

23

[small] games of chance during the period that the other

24

licensed eligible organization is conducting its games on the

25

premises.

26

(13)  A club licensee has failed to file an accurate

27

report under section 501(a).

28

(14)  A club licensee has failed to comply with section

29

502.

30

(15)  Failure to file reports under section 501.

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1

(b)  Production of records.--The district attorney may

2

require licensees to produce their books, accounts and records

3

relating to the conduct of games of chance in order to determine

4

[whether a license should be revoked or renewal thereof denied] 

5

if a violation of this act has occurred. Licensees shall also be

6

required, upon request, to [produce] provide their license,

7

books, accounts and records relating to the conduct of games of

8

chance to [other] the licensing authority, the Bureau of Liquor

9

Control Enforcement or to a law enforcement [officials upon

10

proper request.] agency or official. A club licensee shall

11

retain records for a period of five years.

12

Section 15.  Section 13 of the act is renumbered and amended

13

to read:

14

Section [13] 702.  Enforcement.

15

[(a)  District attorney.--The district attorney shall

16

investigate alleged violations of this act. If the district

17

attorney finds probable cause to believe that a violation has

18

occurred, he may file a complaint against the alleged violator

19

in the court of common pleas of said county, except in counties

20

of the first class where the complaint may be filed in the

21

municipal court. In addition, the district attorney shall

22

prosecute said complaint in the manner provided by law.

23

(b)  Other law enforcement officials.--Nothing in this act

24

shall be interpreted to restrict the power of a State, county or

25

local law enforcement officials to conduct investigations and

26

enforce the provisions of this act.]

27

(a)  Licensing authority.--The licensing authority may

28

enforce the provisions of this act and may impose the penalties

29

under subsection (d).

30

(b)  Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement.--If the licensee

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1

is a club licensee, the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement may

2

enforce the provisions of this act. An administrative law judge

3

under section 212 of the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21),

4

known as the Liquor Code, may impose the penalties under

5

subsection (d) following the issuance of a citation by the

6

bureau.

7

(c)  Random audits.--The Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement

8

shall conduct annual random audits of 5% of all club licensees.

9

(d)  Powers and duties.--The licensing authority, or, in the

10

case of a club licensee, the Bureau of Liquor Control

11

Enforcement may impose the following penalties:

12

(1)  A civil penalty.

13

(2)  Suspension or revocation of the license.

14

(e)  District attorney.--The district attorney of the county

15

that issued the license shall investigate alleged violations of

16

this act. If the district attorney finds probable cause to

17

believe that a criminal violation has occurred, the district

18

attorney may file criminal charges and prosecute the complaint

19

against the alleged violator in the court of common pleas of the

20

county, except in counties of the first class where the

21

complaint may be filed in the municipal court.

22

(f)  Law enforcement officials.--Nothing in this act may

23

restrict or limit the power of a State, county or local law

24

enforcement official to conduct investigations and file criminal

25

charges under this act.

26

(g)  Liquor Code.--A violation of this act shall not

<--

27

constitute a violation of the Liquor Code.

28

(g)  General rule.--

<--

29

(1)  Except as provided in paragraph (2), a violation of

30

this act by a club licensee shall not constitute a violation

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1

of the Liquor Code.

2

(2)  If a club licensee has committed three or more

3

violations of this act, the Bureau of Liquor Control

4

Enforcement may enforce a violation of this act as a

5

violation of the Liquor Code.

6

(3)  A violation of this act shall not constitute a

7

violation of the Liquor Code for the purposes of section

8

471(c) of the Liquor Code.

9

Section 16.  Section 14 of the act, amended July 11, 1990

10

(P.L.449, No.108) and December 19, 1990 (P.L.812, No.195), is

11

renumbered and amended to read:

12

Section [14] 703.  Local option.

13

(a)  Election to be held.--In any municipality, an election

14

may be held on the date of the primary election immediately

15

preceding any municipal election, but not more than once in four

16

years, to determine the will of the electors with respect to the

17

issuance of licenses within the limits of such municipality

18

under the provisions of this act. Where an election shall have

19

been held at the primary election preceding a municipal election

20

in any year, another election may be held under the provisions

21

of this act at the primary election occurring the fourth year

22

after such prior election. Whenever electors equal to at least

23

25% of the highest vote cast for any office in the municipality

24

at the last preceding general election shall file a petition

25

with the county board of elections of the county, or the

26

governing body of the municipality adopts, by a majority vote, a

27

resolution to place such a question on the ballot and a copy of

28

the resolution is filed with the board of elections of the

29

county, for a referendum on the question of issuing licenses,

30

the county board of elections shall cause a question to be

- 71 -

 


1

placed on the ballot or on the voting machine board and

2

submitted at the primary election immediately preceding the

3

municipal election. The question shall be in the following form:

4

Do you favor the issuance of licenses

5

to conduct small games of chance in the

6

                 of                  ?

7

(b)  Vote.--If a majority of the electors voting on the

8

question vote "yes," then licenses shall be issued by the

9

licensing authority in such municipality, but if a majority of

10

the electors voting on any such question vote "no," then the

11

licensing authority shall have no power to issue or to renew,

12

upon their expiration, any licenses in such municipality, unless

13

and until, at a later election, a majority of the voting

14

electors vote "yes" on such question.

15

(c)  Voting proceedings.--Proceedings under this section

16

shall be in accordance with the provisions of the act of June 3,

17

1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election

18

Code.

19

(d)  Applicability.--This act applies only to those eligible

20

organizations located in municipalities which have adopted the

21

provisions of this act by an affirmative vote in a municipal

22

referendum in accordance with the provisions of this section.

23

(e)  Withdrawal of approval.--The referendum procedure

24

contained in this section shall also be available to withdraw

25

the approval of the issuance of such licenses within such

26

municipality which was granted through a prior referendum.

27

(f)  Special exception.--Notwithstanding any other provision

28

of this act to the contrary, in any municipality except a city

29

of the first class where an election was held pursuant to this

30

section on May 16, 1989, and a majority of the electors voted

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1

"NO" on the question, the municipality shall be able to resubmit

2

the question, in accordance with the procedures set forth in

3

this section, at the general election immediately following [the

4

effective date of this amendatory act] July 11, 1990.

5

Section 17.  Section 15 of the act, amended December 19, 1990

6

(P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered to read:

7

Section [15] 704.  Advertising.

8

It shall be unlawful for any eligible organization or person

9

to advertise the prizes or their dollar value to be awarded in

10

games of chance, provided that prizes may be identified on

11

raffle tickets. Notwithstanding the prohibition of advertising

12

contained within this section, an eligible organization may

13

advertise prizes and values thereof in periodic publications

14

which are limited in their circulation to members of the

15

eligible organization.

16

Section 18.  Section 16 of the act is renumbered and amended

17

to read:

18

Section [16] 705.  Certain persons prohibited.

19

No licensed distributor nor any person who has been convicted

20

of a felony or of a violation of the act of July 10, 1981

21

(P.L.214, No.67), known as the Bingo Law, or of this act or of

22

any comparable State or Federal law shall have a pecuniary

23

interest in the operation [or proceeds of games of chance] or in

24

proceeds.

25

Section 19.  The act is amended by adding a section to read:

26

Section 706.  Civil penalties.

27

(a)  Penalty.--An eligible organization, other than a club

28

licensee, that violates the provisions of this act shall be

29

subject to the following civil penalties:

30

(1)  For an initial violation, up to $500.

- 73 -

 


1

(2)  For a second violation, up to $1,000.

2

(3)  For a third or subsequent violation, up to $1,500.

3

(b)  Club licensee.--A club licensee that violates the

4

provisions of this act shall be subject to the following civil

5

penalties:

6

(1)  For an initial violation, up to $800.

7

(2)  For a second violation, up to $1,000.

8

(3)  For a third or subsequent violation, up to $2,000.

9

(c)  Records.--The intentional or willful failure of a club

10

licensee to provide accurate records shall result in a license

11

suspension of a minimum of six months.

12

Section 20.  Section 17 of the act, amended December 19, 1990

13

(P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered and amended to read:

14

Section [17] 707.  [Penalties] Criminal penalties.

15

(a)  Eligible organizations and club licensees.--Any eligible

16

organization violating the provisions of this act shall be

17

guilty of a summary offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall

18

be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $1,000 [and shall] for

19

a first offense[,] and $1,500 for a subsequent offense. In

20

addition:

21

(1)  For a first offense, the eligible organization shall 

22

forfeit the license to conduct games of chance issued to the

23

eligible organization for [the remainder of the licensing

24

period or six months, whichever is longer, for] a period of

25

not more than 30 days.

26

(2)  For a second offense, the eligible organization

27

shall forfeit [the] its license [issued to the eligible

28

organization] for [the remainder of the current licensing

29

period and be ineligible to be licensed for the following

30

licensing period, for] a period of not less than 30 days nor

- 74 -

 


1

more than 180 days.

2

(3)  For a third or subsequent offense[,] within three

3

years of the first offense, the eligible organization shall 

4

forfeit [the] its license [issued to the eligible

5

organization] and be ineligible for a license renewal for 30

6

months thereafter.

7

(b)  Individuals.--Any person who conducts or assists in the

8

conducting of games of chance in violation of the provisions of

9

this act is guilty of a summary offense for a first violation. A

10

second violation of this act shall be punishable as a

11

misdemeanor of the third degree. A third or subsequent violation

12

shall be punishable as a misdemeanor of the first degree.

13

(c)  Distributors and manufacturers.--Any person who

14

distributes games of chance without a license or in violation of

15

any provision of this act or applicable regulations, and any

16

manufacturer of games of chance who delivers games of chance for

17

sale or distribution in this Commonwealth who fails to register

18

and obtain a permit therefor is guilty of a misdemeanor of the

19

first degree, provided that no license or permit shall be

20

required for the manufacture or distribution of raffle tickets.

21

(d)  Rigging.--A person commits a misdemeanor of the first

22

degree if, with intent to prevent a game of chance from being

23

conducted in accordance with the requirements of this act or the

24

rules and usages governing the game of chance, he:

25

(1)  confers or offers or agrees to confer any benefit

26

upon or threatens any injury to a participant or other person

27

associated with the game of chance;

28

(2)  tampers with any person or [games] game of chance;

29

or

30

(3)  solicits, accepts or agrees to accept any benefit.

- 75 -

 


1

(e)  Contingent fees.--Any person who distributes,

2

manufactures or operates a small game of chance and who

3

requires, for equipment furnished or to play a game of chance,

4

payment equal to a percentage of the total winnings of any game

5

of chance commits a misdemeanor of the first degree.

6

Section 21.  The act is amended by adding a chapter heading

7

to read:

8

CHAPTER 31

9

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

10

Section 22.  Section 18 of the act is renumbered to read:

11

Section [18] 3101.  Effective date.

12

This act shall take effect in 60 days.

13

Section 23.  This act shall take effect in 30 days.

- 76 -