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| PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 625 | PRINTER'S NO. 1737 |
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| THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA |
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| SENATE BILL |
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| INTRODUCED BY EARLL, FOLMER, SOLOBAY, CORMAN, ORIE, SCARNATI, BOSCOLA, FONTANA, FERLO, RAFFERTY, ALLOWAY, PICCOLA, COSTA, YAW, HUGHES, KASUNIC, WAUGH, M. WHITE, WASHINGTON, EICHELBERGER, BROWNE, VOGEL, LEACH, YUDICHAK, PIPPY, MENSCH, BREWSTER, WOZNIAK, DINNIMAN AND ARGALL, FEBRUARY 23, 2011 |
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| AS AMENDED ON THIRD CONSIDERATION, OCTOBER 31, 2011 |
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| AN ACT |
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1 | Amending the act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262, No.156), |
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 | definitions and for prize limits; providing for insured games |
10 | of chance; further providing for sales limited, for |
11 | regulations of department, for licensing of eligible |
12 | organizations to conduct games of chance, for revocation of |
13 | licenses, for advertising and for penalties; and making |
14 | editorial changes further providing for legislative intent, | <-- |
15 | for definitions, for games of chance permitted, for prize |
16 | limits, for limits on sales, for distributor licenses, for |
17 | regulations, for licensing of eligible organizations and for |
18 | special permits; providing for club licensees; further |
19 | providing for revocation of licenses, for enforcement, for |
20 | local option, for advertising and for prohibited persons; |
21 | providing for civil penalties; further providing for |
22 | penalties; and making editorial changes. |
23 | The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
24 | hereby enacts as follows: |
25 | Section 1. Section 2 of the act of December 19, 1988 | <-- |
26 | (P.L.1262, No.156), known as the Local Option Small Games of |
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1 | Chance Act, is amended to read: |
2 | Section 2. Legislative intent. |
3 | The General Assembly hereby declares that the playing of |
4 | small games of chance for the purpose of raising funds, by |
5 | certain nonprofit associations, for the promotion of charitable |
6 | or civic purposes, is in the public interest. |
7 | It is hereby declared to be the policy of the General |
8 | Assembly that all phases of licensing, operation and regulation |
9 | of [small] games of chance be strictly controlled, and that all |
10 | laws and regulations with respect thereto as well as all |
11 | gambling laws should be strictly construed and rigidly enforced. |
12 | The General Assembly recognizes the possibility of |
13 | association between commercial gambling and organized crime, and |
14 | wishes to discourage commercialization of [small] games of |
15 | chance, prevent participation by organized crime and prevent the |
16 | diversion of funds from the purposes herein authorized. |
17 | Section 2. The definitions of "daily drawing," "games of |
18 | chance," "raffle" and "weekly drawing" in section 3 of the act, |
19 | amended or added December 19, 1990 (P.L.812, No.195) and October |
20 | 18, 2000 (P.L.602, No.79), are amended to read: |
21 | Section 3. Definitions. |
22 | The following words and phrases when used in this act shall |
23 | have the meanings given to them in this section unless the |
24 | context clearly indicates otherwise: |
25 | * * * |
26 | "Daily drawing." A game of chance in which a bona fide |
27 | member selects or is assigned a number for a chance at a prize |
28 | with the winner determined by [a] random drawing to take place |
29 | on the eligible organization's premises [during the same |
30 | operating day]. The term includes games of chance commonly known |
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1 | as "member sign-in lotteries" and "half-and-half lotteries." |
2 | Nothing in this act shall be construed to prohibit the carrying |
3 | over of a jackpot where the winning number has not been entered |
4 | in the game of chance on a particular operating day. Daily |
5 | drawing winners may be determined with the aid of a passive |
6 | selection device or reference to drawings conducted by the |
7 | department pursuant to the act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351, |
8 | No.91), known as the State Lottery Law. Daily drawing chances |
9 | may not be sold for an amount in excess of $1, and no more than |
10 | one chance per individual may be sold [to an individual during |
11 | the same operating day.] per drawing. Nothing in this definition |
12 | shall be construed to restrict a licensed eligible organization |
13 | from conducting more than one drawing per day. |
14 | * * * |
15 | "Games of chance." Punchboards, daily drawings, weekly |
16 | drawings, raffles and pull-tabs, as defined in this act, |
17 | provided that no such game shall be played by or with the |
18 | assistance of any mechanical or electrical devices or media |
19 | other than a dispensing machine or passive selection device and |
20 | further provided that the particular chance taken by any person |
21 | in any such game shall not be made contingent upon any other |
22 | occurrence or the winning of any other contest, but shall be |
23 | determined solely at the discretion of the purchaser. This |
24 | definition shall not be construed to authorize any other form of |
25 | gambling currently prohibited under any provision of Title 18 of |
26 | the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (relating to crimes and |
27 | offenses) or authorized under 4 Pa.C.S. (relating to |
28 | amusements). Nothing in this act shall be construed to authorize |
29 | games commonly known as "slot machines" or "video poker." |
30 | * * * |
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1 | "Raffle." A game of chance in which a participant buys a |
2 | ticket for a chance at a prize with the winner determined by a |
3 | random drawing of corresponding ticket stubs to take place at a |
4 | location and date or dates printed upon each ticket. Such games |
5 | of chance shall include lotteries but not daily drawings. Raffle |
6 | winners may be determined by reference to drawings conducted by |
7 | the department pursuant to the act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351, |
8 | No.91), known as the State Lottery Law. |
9 | * * * |
10 | "Weekly drawing." A game of chance in which a bona fide |
11 | member selects or receives a number or numbers for a chance at a |
12 | prize with the winner determined by a random drawing to take |
13 | place on the licensed eligible organization's premises at the |
14 | end of a seven-day period. Nothing in this act shall be |
15 | construed to prohibit the carrying over of a jackpot where the |
16 | winning number has not been entered in the game in a particular |
17 | week. Weekly drawing winners may be determined with the aid of a |
18 | passive selection device or reference to drawings conducted by |
19 | the Department of Revenue pursuant to the act of August 26, 1971 |
20 | (P.L.351, No.91), known as the State Lottery Law. Weekly drawing |
21 | chances may not be sold for an amount in excess of $1. |
22 | Section 3. Section 5 of the act, amended December 19, 1990 |
23 | (P.L.812, No.195) and October 18, 2000 (P.L.602, No.79), is |
24 | amended to read: |
25 | Section 5. Prize limits. |
26 | (a) Individual prize limit.--[The] Except as provided for in |
27 | subsection (i), the maximum cash value which may be awarded for |
28 | any single chance shall be [$500] $1,000. |
29 | (b) Weekly limit.--No more than [$5,000] $20,000 in cash or |
30 | merchandise shall be awarded by any licensed eligible |
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1 | organization in any seven-day period. |
2 | (c) Limit on raffles.--No more than $5,000 in cash or |
3 | merchandise shall be awarded in raffles in any calendar month. |
4 | (d) Exception.--[An] A licensed eligible organization may |
5 | conduct a raffle and award a prize or prizes valued in excess of |
6 | [$500] $1,000 each only under the following conditions: |
7 | (1) The licensing authority has issued a special permit |
8 | for the raffle under section 11. |
9 | (2) [Eligible organizations] A licensed eligible |
10 | organization shall be eligible to receive no more than two |
11 | special permits in any licensed year except that volunteer |
12 | fire, ambulance and rescue organizations shall be eligible to |
13 | receive no more than three special permits in any licensed |
14 | year. |
15 | (3) Only one raffle may be conducted under each special |
16 | permit. |
17 | (4) The total cash value of all prizes shall be no more |
18 | than $100,000 per calendar year. |
19 | (e) Limit on daily drawings.--Daily drawings shall be |
20 | governed by the prize [limitations] limitation contained in |
21 | [subsections (a) and (b)] subsection (a). [An eligible |
22 | organization shall not conduct daily drawings during a period |
23 | when a weekly drawing is taking place.] |
24 | (f) Exception.--The prize limitation contained in |
25 | [subsections (a) and (b)] subsection (a) may be exceeded by a |
26 | daily drawing under the following circumstances: a daily drawing |
27 | may award a prize where the cash value is in excess of [$500] |
28 | $1,000 if such prize is the result of a carryover of a drawing |
29 | or drawings which resulted from the winning number in such |
30 | drawing or drawings not being among the eligible entrants in |
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1 | such drawings. Nothing contained herein shall authorize the |
2 | prize [limitations] limitation as contained in [subsections (a) |
3 | and (b)] subsection (a) to be exceeded as a result of a failure |
4 | to conduct a drawing on an operating day during which chances |
5 | were sold for a daily drawing or for a daily drawing for which |
6 | chances were sold in excess of $1 or for which more than one |
7 | chance was sold to an eligible participant. |
8 | (g) Daily drawing and weekly drawing exception.--When a |
9 | daily drawing or weekly drawing is set up or conducted in such a |
10 | manner as to pay out or award 100% of the gross revenues |
11 | generated from such drawing, the limitations contained in |
12 | subsection (b) shall not apply. |
13 | (h) Limit on weekly drawings.--Weekly drawings shall be |
14 | governed by the prize limitations contained in subsection (b). |
15 | The prize limitation contained in subsection (b) may be exceeded |
16 | by a weekly drawing under the following circumstances: a weekly |
17 | drawing may award a prize where the cash value is in excess of |
18 | [$5,000] $20,000 if such prize is the result of a carryover of a |
19 | drawing or drawings which resulted from the winning number or |
20 | numbers in such drawing or drawings not being among the eligible |
21 | entrants in such drawings. Nothing contained in this act shall |
22 | authorize the prize limitations as contained in subsection (b) |
23 | to be exceeded as a result of a failure to conduct a drawing for |
24 | a week during which chances were sold for a weekly drawing or |
25 | for a weekly drawing for which chances were sold in excess of |
26 | $1. [An eligible organization shall not conduct weekly drawings |
27 | during a period when a daily drawing is taking place.] |
28 | (i) Progressive games of chance.--Progressive games of |
29 | chance shall be permitted with a maximum cash value of $5,000. |
30 | Contributions to the pot shall be counted against the limit for |
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1 | the week in which the contribution is made except that when the |
2 | limit is reached the amount awarded shall be counted toward the |
3 | limit only to the extent it was not previously counted toward a |
4 | prior week's limit. |
5 | (j) Definitions.-- For the purpose of this section, |
6 | progressive games of chance are games of chance in which a |
7 | winning ticket awards the ticket holder an additional chance at |
8 | another game of chance or games of chance. |
9 | Section 4. The act is amended by adding a section to read: |
10 | Section 5.1. Insured games of chance. |
11 | (a) Authorization.--Notwithstanding any provision of this |
12 | act to the contrary, a licensed eligible organization may |
13 | conduct games of chance using insured games. Insured games of |
14 | chance sold by a licensed distributor shall be backed by a valid |
15 | insurance contract issued by an insurance company licensed to do |
16 | business in this Commonwealth. Proof of the insurance contract |
17 | must be provided to the department prior to the game of chance |
18 | being sold. |
19 | (b) Revocation of license.--The license of a distributor and |
20 | an insurance company issuing a contract for an insured game of |
21 | chance may be suspended or revoked for failure to pay an award. |
22 | (c) Definition.--For the purposes of this section, an |
23 | insured game of chance is a game of chance in which the licensed |
24 | distributor or other licensed third party guarantees making the |
25 | payment on a win of a jackpot. |
26 | Section 5. Sections 6 and 9 of the act, amended December 19, |
27 | 1990 (P.L.812, No.195), are amended to read: |
28 | Section 6. Sales limited. |
29 | No person shall sell, offer for sale or furnish games of |
30 | chance for use within this Commonwealth except to [an] a |
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1 | licensed eligible organization or distributor licensed under |
2 | this act. No game of chance, other than a raffle, sold, offered |
3 | for sale or furnished for use within this Commonwealth shall |
4 | contain, permit, depict or designate a prize having a cash value |
5 | in excess of [$500] $1,000. |
6 | Section 9. Regulations of department. |
7 | (a) Authorization.--The department shall promulgate |
8 | regulations to: |
9 | (1) Impose minimum standards and restrictions applicable |
10 | to games of chance manufactured for sale in this |
11 | Commonwealth, which may include standards and restrictions |
12 | which specify the maximum number of chances available to be |
13 | sold for any single game of chance or prize and such other |
14 | standards and restrictions as the department deems necessary |
15 | for the purposes of this act. The department shall consider |
16 | standards adopted by the National Association of Gambling |
17 | Regulatory Agencies and other standards commonly accepted in |
18 | the industry. |
19 | (2) Establish procedures by which manufacturers may |
20 | register and distributors of games of chance may apply for |
21 | licensure on forms which the department shall provide. |
22 | (3) Provide for the suspension or revocation of |
23 | distribution licenses or manufacturer certificates for |
24 | violations of this act or regulations of the department. |
25 | (4) Carry out other provisions of this act. |
26 | (b) Limitation on recordkeeping requirements.--This section |
27 | shall not be construed to authorize the department to promulgate |
28 | regulations providing for recordkeeping requirements for |
29 | licensed eligible organizations which require unreasonable or |
30 | unnecessary information or a repetitious listing of information. |
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1 | The department shall strive to keep such recordkeeping |
2 | requirements from being an undue hardship or burden on licensed |
3 | eligible organizations. Under no circumstances shall the |
4 | department require the retention of records for a period in |
5 | excess of two years. |
6 | (c) Reporting requirements.--Each licensed eligible |
7 | organization shall report to the department prizes awarded as |
8 | required by section 335 of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, |
9 | No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971. |
10 | Section 6. Section 10 of the act, amended December 19, 1990 |
11 | (P.L.812, No.195) and October 18, 2000 (P.L.602, No.79), is |
12 | amended to read: |
13 | Section 10. Licensing of eligible organizations to conduct |
14 | games of chance. |
15 | (a) License required.--No eligible organization shall |
16 | conduct or operate any games of chance unless such eligible |
17 | organization has obtained and maintains a valid license issued |
18 | pursuant to this section. Auxiliary groups within a licensed |
19 | eligible [organizations] organization shall be eligible to |
20 | conduct [small] games of chance using the license issued to the |
21 | eligible organization provided that the auxiliary group or |
22 | groups are listed on the application and license of the eligible |
23 | organization. No additional licensing fee shall be charged for |
24 | an auxiliary group's eligibility under this act. Auxiliary |
25 | groups shall not include branches, lodges or chapters of a |
26 | Statewide organization. |
27 | (b) Issuance and fees.--The licensing authority shall |
28 | license, upon application, within 30 days any eligible |
29 | organization meeting the requirements for licensure contained in |
30 | this act to conduct and operate games of chance at such |
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1 | locations within the county or in such manner as stated on the |
2 | application as limited by subsection (b.1). The license fee to |
3 | be charged to each eligible organization shall be [$100] $300, |
4 | except for limited occasion licenses which shall be [$10] $30. |
5 | Licenses shall be renewable [annually] on a biennial basis upon |
6 | the anniversary of the date of issue. |
7 | (b.1) Location of [small] games of chance.--Where there |
8 | exists a location or premises which is the normal business or |
9 | operating site of the eligible organization and is owned or |
10 | leased by that eligible organization to conduct its normal |
11 | business, that site shall be the licensed premises for [small] |
12 | games of chance conducted by the licensed eligible organization. |
13 | If that location consists of more than one building and the |
14 | licensed eligible organization wishes to conduct its games in a |
15 | different building at that location from the one that is listed |
16 | on its application for a license and on its license, the |
17 | licensed eligible organization must notify, in writing, the |
18 | district attorney and the licensing authority of the change in |
19 | building site and the dates and times that will be affected. |
20 | When [an] a licensed eligible organization does not own or lease |
21 | a specific location to conduct its normal business, that |
22 | licensed eligible organization may use another licensed eligible |
23 | organization's premises to conduct its games of chance or may |
24 | make such other arrangements that are consistent with this act, |
25 | including, but not limited to, leasing a premise under a written |
26 | agreement for a rental which is not determined by either the |
27 | amount of receipts realized from the playing of games of chance |
28 | nor the number of people attending except that an eligible |
29 | organization may lease a facility for a banquet where a per head |
30 | charge is applied in connection with the serving of a meal. When |
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1 | such eligible organization changes the site of its games of |
2 | chance from that which is listed on its application for a |
3 | license and on its license, the licensed eligible organization |
4 | must notify, in writing, the district attorney and licensing |
5 | authority of the change in their [games'] games of chance site |
6 | and dates and times that will be affected. More than one |
7 | licensed eligible organization may use the same location, |
8 | provided that each eligible organization has its own license and |
9 | that the prize limitations of this act shall apply separately to |
10 | each licensed eligible organization. |
11 | (b.2) Off-premises games of chance.--Notwithstanding any |
12 | other provisions of this section, [an] a licensed eligible |
13 | organization may conduct [small] games of chance at a location |
14 | off its premises when such games of chance are part of an annual |
15 | carnival, fair, picnic or banquet held or participated in by |
16 | that licensed eligible organization on a historical basis. The |
17 | licensed eligible organization must notify, in writing, the |
18 | district attorney and licensing authority of the location, date |
19 | and times of such events where it will be conducting [small] |
20 | games of chance. |
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] organization holding [such a] the |
28 | license to conduct no more than two raffles during a licensed |
29 | year where prizes may not exceed the established limits for |
30 | regular monthly raffles. Holders of limited occasion licenses |
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1 | may 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 of [small] |
9 | games of chance. It shall also be unlawful for any eligible |
10 | organization to lease under any terms a facility or building |
11 | which is used exclusively for the conducting of [small] games of |
12 | chance. |
13 | (c) Display.--Licenses issued pursuant to this section shall |
14 | be publicly displayed at the site of the [small] games of |
15 | chance. |
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, |
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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. |
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 manufacturer or distributor approved by |
21 | the department. |
22 | (7) [No licensed eligible organization shall permit] |
23 | Except as provided in subsection (d.1)(1), permitting its |
24 | licensed premises to be used for [small] games of chance by |
25 | another licensed eligible organization at the same time that |
26 | it is conducting [small] games of chance on the licensed |
27 | premises. When a licensed eligible organization is permitting |
28 | another licensed eligible organization to use its licensed |
29 | premises for purposes of [small] games of chance, it must |
30 | cease the operation of its own [small] games of chance during |
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1 | the period that the other licensed eligible organization is |
2 | conducting its games of chance on the licensed premises. |
3 | [(8) Raffle tickets may be sold off the licensed premise |
4 | in any municipality in this Commonwealth which has adopted |
5 | the provisions of this act by an affirmative vote in a |
6 | municipal referendum. A licensed eligible organization which |
7 | plans to sell raffle tickets in a municipality located in a |
8 | county other than the county in which the eligible |
9 | organization is licensed must notify that county's district |
10 | attorney and licensing authority as to the location and the |
11 | dates that the eligible organization plans to sell raffle |
12 | tickets.] |
13 | (d.1) Sale of raffle tickets.-- |
14 | (1) A licensed eligible organization may sell on its |
15 | licensed premises the raffle tickets of another licensed |
16 | eligible organization that has been issued a limited occasion |
17 | license under subsection (b.3). |
18 | (2) Raffle tickets may be sold off the licensed premises |
19 | in any municipality in this Commonwealth which has adopted |
20 | the provisions of this act by an affirmative vote in a |
21 | municipal referendum. A licensed eligible organization which |
22 | plans to sell raffle tickets in a municipality located in a |
23 | county other than the county in which the licensed eligibile |
24 | organization is licensed must notify that county's district |
25 | attorney and licensing authority as to the location and the |
26 | dates that the licensed eligible organization plans to sell |
27 | raffle tickets. |
28 | (d.2) Bank account and records.--The licensed eligible |
29 | organization shall keep a bank account to hold the proceeds of |
30 | games of chance, which shall be separate from all other funds |
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1 | belonging to the licensed eligible organization. Account records |
2 | shall show all expenditures and income and shall be retained by |
3 | the licensed eligible organization for at least two years. |
4 | (e) Application for license.--Each eligible organization |
5 | shall apply to the licensing authority for a license on a form |
6 | to be prescribed by the Secretary of Revenue. The form shall |
7 | contain an affidavit to be affirmed by the executive officer or |
8 | secretary of the eligible organization stating that: |
9 | (1) No person under 18 years of age will be permitted by |
10 | the eligible organization to operate or play games of chance. |
11 | (2) The facility in which the games of chance are to be |
12 | played has adequate means of ingress and egress and adequate |
13 | sanitary facilities available in the area. |
14 | (3) The eligible organization is not leasing such |
15 | premises from the owner thereof under an oral agreement, nor |
16 | is it leasing such premises from the owner thereof under a |
17 | written agreement at a rental which is determined by the |
18 | amount of receipts realized from the playing of games of |
19 | chance or by the number of people attending, except that an |
20 | eligible organization may lease a facility for a banquet |
21 | where a per head charge is applied in connection with the |
22 | serving of a meal. |
23 | (4) The eligible organization has complied with the |
24 | annual financial report filing. |
25 | (5) The eligible organization has a separate bank |
26 | account to hold all proceeds of games of chance. |
27 | (6) The eligible organization has complied with the |
28 | applicable games of chance training requirements. |
29 | (e.1) Financial report and training requirements.--Each |
30 | eligible organization shall comply with all of the following: |
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1 | (1) An eligible organization shall file an annual |
2 | financial report with the licensing authority. The following |
3 | shall apply: |
4 | (i) The first annual report required under this |
5 | paragraph shall contain information for the 12-month |
6 | period ending at least 60 days, but not more than 90 |
7 | days, prior to the submission of the application. |
8 | Subsequent annual reports shall contain information for |
9 | the most recent 12-month period ending in the same month |
10 | as the initial report. |
11 | (ii) The annual report shall detail gross receipts |
12 | from the conduct of games of chance, the expenses related |
13 | to the conduct of the games of chance, the prizes paid |
14 | out for games of chance and the details as to how the net |
15 | proceeds from games of chance were used or disbursed by |
16 | the eligible organization. |
17 | (iii) The annual report shall be prepared on a one- |
18 | page form to be designed by the department. Additional |
19 | schedules shall be included, if necessary, to provide |
20 | specific details on the use or disbursement of the net |
21 | proceeds from games of chance by the eligible |
22 | organization. |
23 | (iv) A copy of the most recent annual report shall |
24 | be filed with the application to renew the liquor license |
25 | of an eligible organization. |
26 | (2) An eligible organization shall provide evidence to |
27 | the licensing authority that games of chance training has |
28 | been completed under this paragraph. The following shall |
29 | apply: |
30 | (i) A minimum of four hours of training shall have |
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1 | been completed within the 24-month period immediately |
2 | preceding the date of the application. |
3 | (ii) The training shall have been completed by the |
4 | executive officer, secretary or a responsible person |
5 | listed on the application for a license of the eligible |
6 | organization. The person receiving the training shall be |
7 | associated with the conduct of games of chance by the |
8 | eligible organization. |
9 | (iii) The training shall consist of the completion |
10 | of training materials prepared by the department. The |
11 | training materials shall be designed to assist eligible |
12 | organizations in their compliance with statutory and |
13 | regulatory requirements associated with the conduct of |
14 | games of chance. The training materials shall be |
15 | available on the department's publicly accessible |
16 | Internet website. Upon request, the department shall |
17 | provide hard copies of the training materials at a cost |
18 | not to exceed the actual cost of printing and postage. |
19 | (iv) This paragraph shall not apply if the eligible |
20 | organization submits an affidavit affirmed by the |
21 | executive officer or secretary of the eligible |
22 | organization that the eligible organization will not |
23 | conduct games of chance on 60 or more days during the |
24 | licensing period. |
25 | (f) List of licensees.--The licensing authority, on a |
26 | semiannual basis, shall send a copy of all licensees to the |
27 | Department of Revenue. |
28 | (g) List of municipalities.--The licensing authority shall |
29 | include with any license or renewal license issued to an |
30 | eligible organization, an up-to-date listing of those |
|
1 | municipalities within the licensing county which have approved |
2 | the referendum question on [small] games of chance. |
3 | (h) Background checks.--Each application for a license shall |
4 | include the results of a criminal history record information |
5 | check obtained from the Pennsylvania State Police, as defined in |
6 | 18 Pa.C.S. § 9102 (relating to definitions) and permitted by 18 |
7 | Pa.C.S. § 9121(b) (relating to general regulations), for the |
8 | executive officer or secretary of the eligible organization |
9 | making the application for a license and all other responsible |
10 | persons listed on the application. |
11 | Section 7. Section 12(a)(12) of the act, amended December |
12 | 19, 1990 (P.L.812, No.195), is amended and the subsection is |
13 | amended by adding a paragraph to read: |
14 | Section 12. Revocation of licenses. |
15 | (a) Grounds.--The licensing authority shall revoke or refuse |
16 | to renew the license of any eligible organization whenever the |
17 | district attorney finds upon complaint and investigation that: |
18 | * * * |
19 | (12) The licensed eligible organization has permitted |
20 | another licensed eligible organization to conduct [small] |
21 | games of chance on its licensed premises without suspending |
22 | its own operation of [small] games of chance during the |
23 | period that the other licensed eligible organization is |
24 | conducting its games of chance on the licensed premises. |
25 | (13) The licensed eligible organization has failed to |
26 | keep and maintain the records required under this act for a |
27 | period of two years. |
28 | * * * |
29 | Section 8. Section 14(a) of the act is amended to read: |
30 | Section 14. Local option. |
|
1 | (a) Election to be held.--In any municipality, an election |
2 | may be held on the date of the primary election immediately |
3 | preceding any municipal election, but not more than once in four |
4 | years, to determine the will of the electors with respect to the |
5 | issuance of licenses within the limits of such municipality |
6 | under the provisions of this act. Where an election shall have |
7 | been held at the primary election preceding a municipal election |
8 | in any year, another election may be held under the provisions |
9 | of this act at the primary election occurring the fourth year |
10 | after such prior election. Whenever electors equal to at least |
11 | 25% of the highest vote cast for any office in the municipality |
12 | at the last preceding general election shall file a petition |
13 | with the county board of elections of the county, or the |
14 | governing body of the municipality adopts, by a majority vote, a |
15 | resolution to place such a question on the ballot and a copy of |
16 | the resolution is filed with the board of elections of the |
17 | county, for a referendum on the question of issuing licenses, |
18 | the county board of elections shall cause a question to be |
19 | placed on the ballot or on the voting machine board and |
20 | submitted at the primary election immediately preceding the |
21 | municipal election. The question shall be in the following form: |
22 | Do you favor the issuance of licenses |
23 | to conduct [small] games of chance in the |
24 | of ? |
25 | * * * |
26 | Section 9. Sections 15 and 17(a), (d) and (e) of the act, |
27 | amended December 19, 1990 (P.L.812, No.195), are amended to |
28 | read: |
29 | Section 15. Advertising. |
30 | [It shall be unlawful for any eligible organization or person |
|
1 | to] Any licensed eligible organization or person may advertise |
2 | the prizes or their dollar value to be awarded in games of |
3 | chance, provided that [prizes may be identified on raffle |
4 | tickets. Notwithstanding the prohibition of advertising |
5 | contained within this section, an eligible organization may |
6 | advertise prizes and values thereof in periodic publications |
7 | which are limited in their circulation to members of the |
8 | eligible organization.] such advertisements shall contain the |
9 | date, time, location, whether cash or merchandise prizes will be |
10 | awarded and the name of the licensed eligible organization and |
11 | the name of the person who conducts the games of chance. |
12 | Section 17. Penalties. |
13 | (a) Eligible organizations.--Any eligible organization |
14 | violating the provisions of this act shall be guilty of a |
15 | summary offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced |
16 | to pay a fine not exceeding [$1,000] $2,000 and shall for a |
17 | first offense, forfeit the license to conduct games of chance |
18 | issued to the eligible organization for the remainder of the |
19 | licensing period or six months, whichever is longer, for a |
20 | second offense, forfeit the license issued to the eligible |
21 | organization for the remainder of the current licensing period |
22 | and be ineligible to be licensed for the following licensing |
23 | period, for a third or subsequent offense, forfeit the license |
24 | issued to the eligible organization and be ineligible for a |
25 | license renewal for 30 months thereafter. |
26 | * * * |
27 | (d) Rigging.--A person commits a misdemeanor of the first |
28 | degree if, with intent to prevent a game of chance from being |
29 | conducted in accordance with the requirements of this act or the |
30 | rules and usages governing the game of chance, he: |
|
1 | (1) confers or offers or agrees to confer any benefit |
2 | upon or threatens any injury to a participant or other person |
3 | associated with the game of chance; |
4 | (2) tampers with any person or [games] game of chance; |
5 | or |
6 | (3) solicits, accepts or agrees to accept any benefit. |
7 | (e) Contingent fees.--Any person who distributes, |
8 | manufactures or operates a [small] game of chance and who |
9 | requires, for equipment furnished or to play a game of chance, |
10 | payment equal to a percentage of the total winnings of any game |
11 | of chance commits a misdemeanor of the first degree. |
12 | Section 10. This act shall apply as follows: |
13 | (1) The amendment or addition of section 10(e)(4) and |
14 | (5), (e.1)(1) and (h) of the act shall apply to an |
15 | application for a license filed more than 60 days after the |
16 | effective date of this section. |
17 | (2) The amendment or addition of section 10(e)(6) and |
18 | (e.1)(2) of the act shall apply to an application for a |
19 | license filed more than one year after the effective date of |
20 | this section. |
21 | Section 11. This act shall take effect as follows: |
22 | (1) The following provisions shall take effect |
23 | immediately: |
24 | (i) The amendment or addition of section 10(b), (e), |
25 | (e.1) and (h) of the act. |
26 | (ii) Section 10 of this act. |
27 | (iii) This section. |
28 | (2) The remainder of this act shall take effect in 60 |
29 | days. |
30 | Section 1. The act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262, No.156), | <-- |
|
1 | known as the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act, is amended |
2 | by adding a chapter heading to read: |
3 | CHAPTER 1 |
4 | PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS |
5 | Section 2. Section 1 of the act is renumbered to read: |
6 | Section [1] 101. Short title. |
7 | This act shall be known and may be cited as the Local Option |
8 | Small Games of Chance Act. |
9 | Section 2.1. Section 2 of the act is renumbered and amended |
10 | to read: |
11 | Section [2] 102. Legislative intent. |
12 | The General Assembly hereby declares that the playing of |
13 | [small] games of chance for the purpose of raising funds, by |
14 | certain nonprofit associations, for the promotion of charitable |
15 | or civic purposes, is in the public interest. In some cases the |
16 | proceeds from games of chance may be utilized to support certain |
17 | operating expenses of certain organizations. |
18 | It is hereby declared to be the policy of the General |
19 | Assembly that all phases of licensing, operation and regulation |
20 | of [small] games of chance be strictly controlled, and that all |
21 | laws and regulations with respect thereto as well as all |
22 | gambling laws should be strictly construed and rigidly enforced. |
23 | The General Assembly recognizes the possibility of |
24 | association between commercial gambling and organized crime, and |
25 | wishes to discourage commercialization of [small] games of |
26 | chance, prevent participation by organized crime and prevent the |
27 | diversion of funds from the purposes herein authorized. |
28 | Section 3. The definitions of "civic and service |
29 | associations," "club," "daily drawing," "eligible |
30 | organizations," "fraternal organizations," "games of chance," |
|
1 | "public interest purposes," "raffle" and "weekly drawing" in |
2 | section 3 of the act, amended December 19, 1990 (P.L.812, |
3 | No.195) and October 18, 2000 (P.L.602, No.79), are amended and |
4 | the section is renumbered and amended by adding definitions to |
5 | read: |
6 | Section [3] 103. Definitions. |
7 | The following words and phrases when used in this act shall |
8 | have the meanings given to them in this section unless the |
9 | context clearly indicates otherwise: |
10 | * * * |
11 | "Civic and service [associations] association." Any |
12 | Statewide or branch, lodge or chapter of a nonprofit national or |
13 | State organization which is authorized by its written |
14 | constitution, charter, articles of incorporation or bylaws to |
15 | engage in a civic or service purpose within this Commonwealth, |
16 | which shall have existed in this Commonwealth for one year. The |
17 | term also means a similar local nonprofit organization, not |
18 | affiliated with a national or State organization, which is |
19 | recognized by a resolution adopted by the governing body of the |
20 | municipality in which the organization conducts its principal |
21 | activities. The term shall include[, but not be limited to,] |
22 | Statewide or local bona fide sportsmen's and wildlife |
23 | associations, federations or clubs, [Statewide or local in |
24 | nature,] volunteer fire companies, volunteer rescue squads and |
25 | volunteer ambulance associations and [bona fide] senior citizens |
26 | organizations. In the case of bona fide senior citizens |
27 | organizations, the licensing authority may accept alternative |
28 | documentation for proof of purposes when there are no bylaws or |
29 | articles of incorporation in existence. The term shall also |
30 | include nonprofit organizations which are established to promote |
|
1 | and encourage participation and support for extracurricular |
2 | activities within the established primary and secondary public, |
3 | private and parochial school systems. Such organizations must be |
4 | recognized by a resolution adopted by the appropriate governing |
5 | body. In the case of organizations associated with the public |
6 | school system, the governing body shall be the school board of |
7 | the school district. In the case of private or parochial school |
8 | organizations, that body shall be either the board of trustees |
9 | or the Archdiocese. |
10 | "Club." [A club, as defined in section 102] An organization |
11 | that: |
12 | (1) is licensed to sell liquor under section 404 of the |
13 | act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor |
14 | Code[, that]; and |
15 | (2) qualifies as an exempt organization under section |
16 | 501(c) or 527 of the Internal Revenue Code of [1954 (68A |
17 | Stat. 3] 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 501(c) or 527) |
18 | [and is licensed to sell liquor at retail and has a |
19 | charitable, religious or civic purpose or is organized to |
20 | benefit a political party]. |
21 | "Club licensee." A club that holds a license to conduct |
22 | small games of chance. |
23 | "Daily drawing." A game of chance in which a bona fide |
24 | member selects or is assigned a number for a chance at a prize |
25 | with the winner determined by [a] random drawing to take place |
26 | on the licensed eligible organization's licensed premises during |
27 | the same operating day. The term includes games of chance |
28 | commonly known as "member sign-in lotteries" and "half-and-half |
29 | lotteries." [Nothing in this act shall be construed to prohibit |
30 | the carrying over of a jackpot where the winning number has not |
|
1 | been entered in the game on a particular operating day.] Daily |
2 | drawing winners may be determined with the aid of a passive |
3 | selection device or reference to drawings conducted by the |
4 | department pursuant to the act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351, |
5 | No.91), known as the State Lottery Law. Daily drawing chances |
6 | may not be sold for an amount in excess of $1, and no more than |
7 | one chance per individual may be sold [to an individual during |
8 | the same operating day] per drawing. Nothing in this definition |
9 | shall restrict an eligible organization from conducting more |
10 | than one drawing per day. |
11 | * * * |
12 | "Eligible [organizations." Includes qualifying nonprofit |
13 | charitable, religious, fraternal and veterans organizations, |
14 | clubs and civic and service associations as defined by this act] |
15 | organization." A charitable, religious, fraternal or veterans' |
16 | organization, club, club licensee or civic and service |
17 | association. In order to qualify as an eligible organization for |
18 | purposes of this act, an organization shall have been in |
19 | existence and fulfilling its purposes for one year prior to the |
20 | date of application for a license. |
21 | "Fraternal [organizations] organization." A nonprofit |
22 | organization within this Commonwealth which is created and |
23 | carried on for the mutual benefit of its members, has a limited |
24 | membership and a representative form of government and is a |
25 | branch, lodge or chapter of a national or State organization. |
26 | Such organizations shall have been in existence in this |
27 | Commonwealth and fulfilling their purposes for one year prior to |
28 | the date of application for a license. |
29 | "Games of chance." Punchboards, daily drawings, weekly |
30 | drawings, raffles and pull-tabs, as defined in this act, |
|
1 | provided that no such game shall be played by or with the |
2 | assistance of any mechanical or electrical devices or media |
3 | other than a dispensing machine or passive selection device and |
4 | further provided that the particular chance taken by any person |
5 | in any such game shall not be made contingent upon any other |
6 | occurrence or the winning of any other contest, but shall be |
7 | determined solely at the discretion of the purchaser. This |
8 | definition shall not be construed to authorize any other form of |
9 | gambling currently prohibited under any provision of Title 18 of |
10 | the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (relating to crimes and |
11 | offenses) or authorized under 4 Pa.C.S. (relating to |
12 | amusements). Nothing in this act shall be construed to authorize |
13 | games commonly known as "slot machines" or "video poker." |
14 | * * * |
15 | "Licensed distributor." A distributor of games of chance |
16 | licensed under section 307. |
17 | * * * |
18 | "Prize." Cash or merchandise awarded for games of chance. |
19 | "Proceeds." As follows: |
20 | (1) For games of chance required to be purchased from a |
21 | licensed distributor, the difference between: |
22 | (i) the face value, as indicated by the registered |
23 | manufacturer, collectible by a licensed eligible |
24 | organization from a game of chance; and |
25 | (ii) the maximum amount of prizes available, as |
26 | indicated by the registered manufacturer, by a licensed |
27 | eligible organization from a game of chance. |
28 | (2) For games of chance not required to be purchased |
29 | from a licensed distributor, the difference between: |
30 | (i) the actual gross revenue collected by a licensed |
|
1 | eligible organization from a game of chance; and |
2 | (ii) the actual amount of prizes paid by a licensed |
3 | eligible organization from a game of chance. |
4 | "Public interest [purposes] purpose." [One or more of the |
5 | following: |
6 | (1) Benefiting persons by enhancing their opportunity |
7 | for religious or education advancement, by relieving or |
8 | protecting them from disease, suffering or distress, by |
9 | contributing to their physical, emotional or social well- |
10 | being, by assisting them in establishing themselves in life |
11 | as worthy and useful citizens or by increasing their |
12 | comprehension of and devotion to the principles upon which |
13 | this nation was founded. |
14 | (2) Initiating, performing or fostering worthy public |
15 | works or enabling or furthering the erection or maintenance |
16 | of public structures. |
17 | (3) Lessening the burdens borne by government or |
18 | voluntarily supporting, augmenting or supplementing services |
19 | which government would normally render to the people. |
20 | (4) Improving, expanding, maintaining or repairing real |
21 | property owned or leased by an eligible organization and used |
22 | for purposes specified in paragraphs (1), (2) and (3). |
23 | The term does not include the erection or acquisition of any |
24 | real property, unless the property will be used exclusively for |
25 | one or more of the purposes specified in this definition.] A |
26 | nonprofit benevolent, religious, educational, philanthropic, |
27 | humane, scientific, patriotic, social welfare, social advocacy, |
28 | public health, public safety, environmental or civic objective. |
29 | * * * |
30 | "Raffle." A game of chance in which a participant buys a |
|
1 | ticket for a chance at a prize with the winner determined by a |
2 | random drawing of corresponding ticket stubs to take place at a |
3 | location and date or dates printed upon each ticket. Such games |
4 | of chance shall include lotteries but not daily drawings. Raffle |
5 | winners may be determined by reference to drawings conducted by |
6 | the department pursuant to the act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351, |
7 | No.91), known as the State Lottery Law. |
8 | * * * |
9 | "Weekly drawing." A game of chance in which a bona fide |
10 | member selects or receives a number or numbers for a chance at a |
11 | prize with the winner determined by a random drawing to take |
12 | place on the licensed eligible organization's licensed premises |
13 | at the end of a seven-day period. [Nothing in this act shall be |
14 | construed to prohibit the carrying over of a jackpot where the |
15 | winning number has not been entered in the game in a particular |
16 | week.] Weekly drawing winners may be determined with the aid of |
17 | a passive selection device or reference to drawings conducted by |
18 | the Department of Revenue pursuant to the act of August 26, 1971 |
19 | (P.L.351, No.91), known as the State Lottery Law. Weekly drawing |
20 | chances may not be sold for an amount in excess of $1. |
21 | Section 4. The act is amended by adding a chapter heading to |
22 | read: |
23 | CHAPTER 3 |
24 | GAMES OF CHANCE |
25 | Section 5. Section 4 of the act, amended December 19, 1990 |
26 | (P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered and amended to read: |
27 | Section [4] 301. Games of chance permitted. |
28 | Every eligible organization to which a license has been |
29 | issued under the provisions of this [act] chapter may conduct |
30 | games of chance for the purpose of raising funds for public |
|
1 | interest purposes. [All] Except as provided in Chapter 5, all |
2 | proceeds of [games of chance] a licensed eligible organization |
3 | shall be used exclusively for public interest purposes or for |
4 | the purchase of games of chance as permitted by this act. |
5 | Section 6. Section 5 of the act, amended December 19, 1990 |
6 | (P.L.812, No.195) and October 18, 2000 (P.L.602, No.79), is |
7 | renumbered and amended to read: |
8 | Section [5] 302. Prize limits. |
9 | (a) Individual prize limit.--[The] Except as provided under |
10 | subsections (c) and (d), the maximum [cash value] prize which |
11 | may be awarded for any single chance shall be [$500] $1,000. |
12 | (b) [Weekly] Aggregate prize limit.--No more than [$5,000] |
13 | $25,000 in [cash or merchandise] prizes shall be awarded from |
14 | games of chance by [any] a licensed eligible organization in any |
15 | seven-day period. |
16 | (c) [Limit on raffles] Raffles prize limit.--[No more than |
17 | $5,000 in cash or merchandise shall] Subject to the limitations |
18 | under subsection (b), up to $10,000 in prizes may be awarded in |
19 | raffles in any calendar month. |
20 | (c.1) Total limit.--All prizes awarded under this section |
21 | and section 301 shall be subject to the aggregate prize limits |
22 | under subsection (b). |
23 | (d) Exception for raffles.--[An] Notwithstanding subsection |
24 | (b) or (c), a licensed eligible organization may conduct a |
25 | raffle and award a prize or prizes valued in excess of [$500] |
26 | $1,000 each only under the following conditions: |
27 | (1) The licensing authority has issued a special permit |
28 | for the raffle under section [11] 308. |
29 | (2) [Eligible organizations] A licensed eligible |
30 | organization shall be eligible to receive no more than [two] |
|
1 | eight special permits in any licensed [year] term except that |
2 | a volunteer fire, ambulance [and] or rescue [organizations] |
3 | organization that is not a club licensee shall be eligible to |
4 | receive [no more than three] ten special permits in any |
5 | licensed [year] term. |
6 | (3) Only one raffle may be conducted under each special |
7 | permit issued under section 308. |
8 | (4) [The] Except as provided under paragraph (5), the |
9 | total [cash value] of all prizes awarded under this |
10 | subsection shall be no more than [$100,000 per calendar |
11 | year.] $200,000 per licensed term. |
12 | (5) A volunteer fire, ambulance or rescue organization |
13 | may, in addition to the total under paragraph (4), award up |
14 | to $50,000 from raffles which shall not be subject to the |
15 | aggregate limit under subsection (b). |
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] Daily drawing carryover.--The prize |
21 | limitation contained in subsections (a) and (b) may be exceeded |
22 | by a daily drawing under the following circumstances: a daily |
23 | drawing may award a prize [where the cash value is] in excess of |
24 | [$500] $1,000 if such prize is the result of a carryover of a |
25 | drawing [or drawings] which resulted from the winning number in |
26 | such drawing [or drawings] not being among the eligible entrants |
27 | in such drawings. Nothing contained herein shall authorize the |
28 | prize [limitations] limitation as contained in subsections (a) |
29 | and (b) to be exceeded as a result of a failure to conduct a |
30 | drawing on an operating day during which chances were sold for a |
|
1 | daily drawing or for a daily drawing for which chances were sold |
2 | in excess of $1 or for which more than one chance was sold to an |
3 | eligible participant. |
4 | (g) [Daily drawing and weekly drawing] Additional |
5 | exception.--When a daily drawing or weekly drawing is set up or |
6 | conducted in such a manner as to pay out or award 100% of the |
7 | gross revenues generated from such drawing, the [limitations] |
8 | limitation contained in subsection (b) shall not apply. |
9 | (h) [Limit on weekly drawings] Weekly drawing carryover |
10 | exception.--Weekly drawings shall be governed by the prize |
11 | [limitations] limitation contained in subsection (b). [The prize |
12 | limitation contained in subsection (b) may be exceeded by a |
13 | weekly drawing under the following circumstances: a weekly |
14 | drawing may award a prize where the cash value is in excess of |
15 | $5,000 if such prize is the result of a carryover of a drawing |
16 | or drawings which resulted from the winning number or numbers in |
17 | such drawing or drawings not being among the eligible entrants |
18 | in such drawings.] The portion of a prize awarded in a weekly |
19 | drawing that results from the carryover of a weekly drawing in |
20 | which the number or numbers were not among the eligible entrants |
21 | in the drawing shall not be included when applying the |
22 | limitation under subsection (b). Nothing contained in this [act] |
23 | chapter shall authorize the prize [limitations as contained in] |
24 | limitation under subsection (b) to be exceeded as a result of a |
25 | failure to conduct a drawing for a week during which chances |
26 | were sold for a weekly drawing or for a weekly drawing for which |
27 | chances were sold in excess of $1. [An eligible organization |
28 | shall not conduct weekly drawings during a period when a daily |
29 | drawing is taking place.] |
30 | Section 7. Sections 6 and 7 of the act, amended December 19, |
|
1 | 1990 (P.L.812, No.195), are renumbered and amended to read: |
2 | Section [6] 303. Sales limited. |
3 | (a) General rule.--No person shall sell, offer for sale or |
4 | furnish games of chance for use within this Commonwealth except |
5 | to an eligible organization or [distributor] licensed |
6 | distributor under this [act] chapter. |
7 | (b) Organizations.--No game of chance, other than a raffle |
8 | under section 302(d), sold, offered for sale or furnished to a |
9 | licensed eligible organization for use within this Commonwealth |
10 | shall contain, permit, depict or designate a prize having a |
11 | [cash value] prize limit in excess of [$500] $1,000. |
12 | Section [7] 304. Distributor licenses. |
13 | (a) License required.--No person shall sell, offer for sale |
14 | or furnish games of chance to eligible organizations licensed |
15 | under this [act] chapter unless such person shall have obtained |
16 | a distributor license as provided in this section. |
17 | (b) Application.--An applicant for the grant or renewal of a |
18 | distributor license issued pursuant to this section shall |
19 | provide to the department, upon the form prescribed, all of the |
20 | following: |
21 | (1) The applicant's State sales tax number. |
22 | (2) The applicant's State corporate tax number. |
23 | (3) The applicant's State employer withholding tax |
24 | number. |
25 | (4) The applicant's unemployment compensation account |
26 | number. |
27 | (5) A statement that: |
28 | (i) all State tax reports have been filed and all |
29 | State taxes paid; |
30 | (ii) all State taxes are subject to a timely |
|
1 | administrative or judicial appeal; or |
2 | (iii) all State taxes are subject to a duly approved |
3 | deferred payment plan. |
4 | (6) The names and business addresses of all owners, |
5 | officers, directors, partners and sales personnel. |
6 | (c) Waiver of confidentiality.--An applicant for the grant |
7 | or renewal of any license issued pursuant to this section shall, |
8 | by the filing of an application insofar as it relates to the |
9 | department, waive any confidentiality with respect to State tax |
10 | information in the possession of the department, the Office of |
11 | Attorney General or the Department of Labor and Industry |
12 | regarding that applicant, regardless of the source of that |
13 | information, and shall consent to the providing of that |
14 | information to the department by the Office of Attorney General |
15 | or the Department of Labor and Industry. |
16 | (d) Review of tax status.--Upon receipt of any application |
17 | for the grant or renewal of any license issued pursuant to this |
18 | section, the department shall review the State tax status of the |
19 | applicant. The department shall request State tax information |
20 | regarding the applicant from the Office of Attorney General or |
21 | the Department of Labor and Industry and that information shall |
22 | be provided. |
23 | (e) Limitation on approval.--The department shall not |
24 | approve any application for the grant or renewal of any license |
25 | issued pursuant to this section where the applicant has failed |
26 | to: |
27 | (1) provide any of the information required by |
28 | subsection (b); |
29 | (2) file required State tax reports; or |
30 | (3) pay any State taxes not subject to a timely |
|
1 | administrative or judicial appeal or subject to a duly |
2 | authorized deferred payment plan. |
3 | (f) Records.--The licensee shall keep such records, reports |
4 | and books as the department shall prescribe. Applicants shall be |
5 | required to make such records, reports and books available as |
6 | required by the department pursuant to regulation. |
7 | (g) Ineligibility.--The department shall not issue or renew |
8 | a distributor license for the sale of games of chance to a |
9 | person, including any corporation, firm or partnership which has |
10 | as an officer, director or other person in a supervisory or |
11 | management position, or employee eligible to make sales on |
12 | behalf of the distributor, who: |
13 | (1) has been convicted of a felony in a state or Federal |
14 | court within the past five years; or |
15 | (2) has been convicted within ten years of the date of |
16 | application in a state or Federal court of a violation of the |
17 | act of July 10, 1981 (P.L.214, No.67), known as the Bingo |
18 | Law, or of this act or of a gambling-related offense under |
19 | Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (relating |
20 | to crimes and offenses) or other comparable State or Federal |
21 | law. |
22 | (h) License and renewal fees.--The fee for a distributor |
23 | license shall be $1,000. Licenses shall be renewable on an |
24 | annual basis. |
25 | (i) Exception.--This section shall not apply to the |
26 | manufacture or distribution of raffle tickets. |
27 | Section 8. Section 8 of the act is renumbered to read: |
28 | Section [8] 305. Registration of manufacturers. |
29 | (a) Registration required.--No manufacturer of games of |
30 | chance shall sell any games of chance to any person unless the |
|
1 | manufacturer has registered with the department and has been |
2 | issued a certificate of registration. |
3 | (b) Annual certificate; fee.--A certificate under this |
4 | section shall be valid for one year. The annual fee for |
5 | registration shall be $2,000. |
6 | (c) Prohibited sales.--A manufacturer shall not sell games |
7 | of chance to any person not licensed as a distributor unless the |
8 | manufacturer is also a licensed distributor. |
9 | (d) Exception.--This section shall not apply to the |
10 | manufacture or distribution of raffle tickets. |
11 | Section 9. Section 9 of the act, amended December 19, 1990 |
12 | (P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered and amended to read: |
13 | Section [9] 306. Regulations of department. |
14 | (a) Authorization.--The department shall promulgate |
15 | regulations to: |
16 | (1) Impose minimum standards and restrictions applicable |
17 | to games of chance manufactured for sale in this |
18 | Commonwealth, which may include standards and restrictions |
19 | which specify the maximum number of chances available to be |
20 | sold for any single game of chance or prize and such other |
21 | standards and restrictions as the department deems necessary |
22 | for the purposes of this [act] chapter. The department shall |
23 | consider standards adopted by the National Association of |
24 | Gambling Regulatory Agencies and other standards commonly |
25 | accepted in the industry. |
26 | (2) Establish procedures by which manufacturers may |
27 | register and distributors of games of chance may apply for |
28 | licensure on forms which the department shall provide. |
29 | Procedures shall include a requirement that manufacturer and |
30 | distributor applicants provide criminal history record |
|
1 | information obtained from the Pennsylvania State Police under |
2 | 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121(b) (relating to general regulations) for |
3 | each officer and manager of the manufacturer's or |
4 | distributor's organization and for any other individual |
5 | specified by the department. As used in this paragraph, the |
6 | term "criminal history record information" has the meaning |
7 | given in 18 Pa.C.S. § 9102 (relating to definitions). |
8 | (3) Provide for the suspension or revocation of |
9 | distribution licenses or manufacturer certificates for |
10 | violations of this act or regulations of the department. |
11 | (4) Carry out other provisions of this act. |
12 | (b) Limitation on recordkeeping requirements.--This section |
13 | shall not be construed to authorize the department to promulgate |
14 | regulations providing for recordkeeping requirements for |
15 | licensed eligible organizations which require unreasonable or |
16 | unnecessary information or a repetitious listing of information. |
17 | The department shall strive to keep such recordkeeping |
18 | requirements from being an undue hardship or burden on licensed |
19 | eligible organizations. Under no circumstances shall the |
20 | department require the retention of records for a period in |
21 | excess of two years. |
22 | (c) Reporting requirements.--Each eligible organization |
23 | shall file an annual report to the department including: |
24 | (1) Prizes awarded as required under section 335 of the |
25 | act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform |
26 | Code of 1971. |
27 | (2) Amounts expended for public interest purposes. |
28 | Section 10. Section 10 of the act, amended December 19, 1990 |
29 | (P.L.812, No.195) and October 18, 2000 (P.L.602, No.79), is |
30 | renumbered and amended to read: |
|
1 | Section [10] 307. Licensing of eligible organizations to |
2 | conduct games of chance. |
3 | (a) License required.--No eligible organization shall |
4 | conduct or operate any games of chance unless such eligible |
5 | organization has obtained and maintains a valid license or |
6 | limited occasion license issued pursuant to this section. |
7 | [Auxiliary groups within] An auxiliary group of a licensed |
8 | eligible [organizations] organization shall be eligible to |
9 | 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. An auxiliary group is not eligible to obtain a |
13 | license or a limited occasion license. No additional licensing |
14 | fee shall be charged for an auxiliary group's eligibility under |
15 | this [act] chapter. Auxiliary groups shall not include branches, |
16 | lodges or chapters of a Statewide organization. |
17 | (b) Issuance and fees.--The licensing authority shall |
18 | license, upon application, within 30 days any eligible |
19 | organization meeting the requirements for licensure contained in |
20 | this [act] chapter to conduct and operate games of chance at |
21 | such locations within the county or in such manner as stated on |
22 | the application as limited by subsection (b.1). The license fee |
23 | to be charged to each eligible organization shall be [$100] |
24 | $200, except for limited occasion licenses which shall be [$10] |
25 | $20. Licenses shall be renewable [annually] on a biennial basis |
26 | upon the anniversary of the date of issue. The license fee shall |
27 | be used by the licensing authority to administer this act. |
28 | (b.1) Location of [small] games of chance.-- |
29 | (1) Every licensed eligible organization, except a |
30 | limited occasion licensee, may conduct small games of chance |
|
1 | only at a licensed premises. The licensed premises shall be |
2 | indicated on the eligible organization's license application. |
3 | Only one license shall be issued per licensed premises. |
4 | Except as provided under paragraph (4), a licensed eligible |
5 | organization may not share a licensed premises with another |
6 | licensed eligible organization; and no licensed eligible |
7 | organization may permit its premises to be used for small |
8 | games of chance by another licensed eligible organization. |
9 | (2) Where there exists a location or premises which is |
10 | the normal business or operating site of the eligible |
11 | organization and the location or premises is owned or leased |
12 | by that eligible organization to conduct its normal business, |
13 | that site shall be the eligible organization's licensed |
14 | premises [for small games of chance conducted by the eligible |
15 | organization]. If that location consists of more than one |
16 | building [and the eligible organization wishes to conduct its |
17 | games in a different building at that location from the one |
18 | that is listed on its application and license, the eligible |
19 | organization must notify, in writing, the district attorney |
20 | and the licensing authority of the change in building site |
21 | and the dates and times that will be affected], the eligible |
22 | organization shall choose the building that will be the |
23 | licensed premises. |
24 | (3) When an eligible organization does not own or lease |
25 | a specific location to conduct its normal business, [that] |
26 | the eligible organization [may use another eligible |
27 | organization's premises to conduct its games or] may make |
28 | [such other] arrangements that are consistent with this act |
29 | to establish a licensed premises, including[, but not limited |
30 | to,] leasing a premise under a written agreement for a rental |
|
1 | [which is not]; however, the rental may not be determined by |
2 | either the amount of receipts realized from the [playing] |
3 | conduct of games of chance [nor] or the number of people |
4 | attending [except that an]. An eligible organization may |
5 | lease a facility for a banquet [where a per head charge is |
6 | applied] in connection with the serving of a meal based on a |
7 | per-head charge. [When such eligible organization changes the |
8 | site of its games from that which is listed on its |
9 | application and license, the eligible organization must |
10 | notify, in writing, the district attorney and licensing |
11 | authority of the change in their games' site and dates and |
12 | times that will be affected.] |
13 | (4) An eligible organization that has obtained a limited |
14 | occasion license under subsection (b.3) may use another |
15 | eligible organization's licensed premises to conduct its |
16 | games of chance. When a licensed eligible organization is |
17 | permitting a limited occasion licensee to use its licensed |
18 | premises for purposes of games of chance, it shall cease the |
19 | operation of its own games of chance during the period that |
20 | the limited occasion licensee is conducting its games on the |
21 | premises. |
22 | (b.2) Off-premises games of chance.--Notwithstanding any |
23 | other provisions of this section, [an] all of the following |
24 | apply: |
25 | (1) A licensed eligible organization may conduct [small] |
26 | games of chance at a location off its premises when [such |
27 | games] the games of chance are part of an annual carnival, |
28 | fair, picnic or banquet held or participated in by that |
29 | licensed eligible organization on a historical basis. The |
30 | licensed eligible organization must notify, in writing, the |
|
1 | district attorney and licensing authority of the location, |
2 | date and times of [such events] the event where it will be |
3 | conducting [small] games of chance. |
4 | (2) Raffle tickets may be sold off the licensed premises |
5 | in a municipality which has adopted the provisions of this |
6 | act by an affirmative vote in a municipal referendum. A |
7 | licensed eligible organization which plans to sell raffle |
8 | tickets in a municipality located in a county other than the |
9 | county in which the eligible organization is licensed shall |
10 | notify that county's district attorney and licensing |
11 | authority as to the location and the dates that the licensed |
12 | eligible organization plans to sell raffle tickets. |
13 | (b.3) Limited occasion licenses.--Eligible organizations |
14 | which do not own their own premises or which do not lease a |
15 | specific location to conduct their normal business may apply for |
16 | a limited occasion license to conduct [small] games of chance on |
17 | not more than three occasions covering a total of seven days |
18 | during a licensed year. A limited occasion license entitles an |
19 | eligible [organizations holding such a license] organization to |
20 | conduct no more than two raffles during a licensed year where |
21 | prizes may not exceed the established limits for regular monthly |
22 | raffles. Holders of a limited occasion [licenses] license may |
23 | not apply or be granted any other license or special permit |
24 | under this act. No holder of a regular license or special permit |
25 | under this act shall apply or be granted a limited occasion |
26 | license. |
27 | (b.4) Gambling facility prohibited.--It shall be unlawful |
28 | for a person, corporation, association, partnership or other |
29 | business entity to offer for rent or offer for use a building or |
30 | facility to be used exclusively for the [conducting] conduct of |
|
1 | [small] games of chance. It shall also be unlawful for any |
2 | eligible organization to rent or lease under any terms a |
3 | [facility or] building or facility which is used exclusively for |
4 | the [conducting] conduct of [small] games of chance. |
5 | (c) Display.--Licenses issued pursuant to this section shall |
6 | be publicly displayed at the site [of the small] where games of |
7 | chance will be conducted. |
8 | (d) Operation.--Each licensed eligible organization shall |
9 | [comply with the following restrictions and rules governing the |
10 | operation of games of chance] be prohibited from the following: |
11 | (1) [No] Permitting any person under 18 years of age |
12 | [shall be permitted] to operate or play games of chance. |
13 | (2) [No eligible organization shall permit] Permitting |
14 | any person who has been convicted of a felony in a Federal or |
15 | State court within the past five years or has been convicted |
16 | in a Federal or State court within the past ten years of a |
17 | violation of the act of July 10, 1981 (P.L.214, No.67), known |
18 | as the Bingo Law, or of this act to manage, set up, supervise |
19 | or participate in the operation of games of chance. |
20 | (3) [No eligible organization shall pay] Paying any |
21 | compensation to any person for conducting any games of |
22 | chance. Games of chance may only be conducted by managers, |
23 | officers, directors, bar personnel and bona fide members of |
24 | the eligible organization. |
25 | (4) [Games shall be conducted only] Conducting games of |
26 | chance on any premises other than on the licensed premises or |
27 | as otherwise provided by this [act] chapter. |
28 | (5) [The eligible organization shall not lease such] |
29 | Leasing the licensed premises under either an oral or a |
30 | written agreement for a rental which is determined by either |
|
1 | the amount of receipts realized from the playing of games of |
2 | chance or the number of people attending, except that an |
3 | eligible organization may lease a facility for a banquet |
4 | where a per head charge is applied in connection with the |
5 | serving of a meal. An eligible organization shall not lease |
6 | such premises from any person who has been convicted of a |
7 | violation of this act or the Bingo Law within the past ten |
8 | years. |
9 | (6) [Games] Purchasing games of chance, other than |
10 | raffles, daily drawings and weekly drawings, [shall be |
11 | purchased only from manufacturers and distributors] from any |
12 | person other than a registered manufacturer or licensed |
13 | distributor approved by the department. |
14 | [(7) No licensed eligible organization shall permit its |
15 | premises to be used for small games of chance by another |
16 | licensed eligible organization at the same time that it is |
17 | conducting small games of chance on the premises. When a |
18 | licensed eligible organization is permitting another licensed |
19 | eligible organization to use its premises for purposes of |
20 | small games of chance, it must cease the operation of its own |
21 | small games of chance during the period that the other |
22 | licensed eligible organization is conducting its games on the |
23 | premises. |
24 | (8) Raffle tickets may be sold off the licensed premise |
25 | in any municipality in this Commonwealth which has adopted |
26 | the provisions of this act by an affirmative vote in a |
27 | municipal referendum. A licensed eligible organization which |
28 | plans to sell raffle tickets in a municipality located in a |
29 | county other than the county in which the eligible |
30 | organization is licensed must notify that county's district |
|
1 | attorney and licensing authority as to the location and the |
2 | dates that the eligible organization plans to sell raffle |
3 | tickets.] |
4 | (d.1) Bank account and records.--The licensed eligible |
5 | organization shall keep a bank account to hold the proceeds of |
6 | games of chance, which shall be separate from all other funds |
7 | belonging to the licensed eligible organization. Account records |
8 | shall show all expenditures and income and shall be retained by |
9 | the licensed eligible organization for at least two years. |
10 | (e) Application for license.--Each eligible organization |
11 | shall apply to the licensing authority for a license on a form |
12 | to be prescribed by the Secretary of Revenue. For a club |
13 | license, the application shall include the most recent annual |
14 | report filed by the club licensee under Chapter 5. The form |
15 | shall contain an affidavit to be affirmed by the executive |
16 | officer or secretary of the eligible organization stating that: |
17 | (1) No person under 18 years of age will be permitted by |
18 | the eligible organization to operate or play games of chance. |
19 | (2) The facility in which the games of chance are to be |
20 | played has adequate means of ingress and egress and adequate |
21 | sanitary facilities available in the area. |
22 | (3) The eligible organization is not leasing such |
23 | premises from the owner thereof under an oral agreement, nor |
24 | is it leasing such premises from the owner thereof under a |
25 | written agreement at a rental which is determined by the |
26 | amount of receipts realized from the playing of games of |
27 | chance or by the number of people attending, except that an |
28 | eligible organization may lease a facility for a banquet |
29 | where a per head charge is applied in connection with the |
30 | serving of a meal. |
|
1 | (e.1) Proceedings.--Proceedings before the licensing |
2 | authority are subject to 2 Pa.C.S. Chs. 5 Subch. B (relating to |
3 | practice and procedure of local agencies) and 7 Subch. B |
4 | (relating to judicial review of local agency action). |
5 | (f) List of licensees.--The licensing authority, on a |
6 | semiannual basis, shall send a copy of all licensees to the |
7 | Department of Revenue. |
8 | (g) List of municipalities.--The licensing authority shall |
9 | include with any license or renewal license issued to an |
10 | eligible organization, an up-to-date listing of those |
11 | municipalities within the licensing county which have approved |
12 | the referendum question on small games of chance. |
13 | (h) Background checks.--Each application for a license shall |
14 | include the results of a criminal history record information |
15 | check obtained from the Pennsylvania State Police, as defined in |
16 | 18 Pa.C.S. § 9102 (relating to definitions) and permitted by 18 |
17 | Pa.C.S. § 9121(b) (relating to general regulations), for the |
18 | executive officer and secretary of the eligible organization |
19 | making the application for a license or any other person |
20 | required by the department. |
21 | Section 11. Section 11 of the act, amended December 19, 1990 |
22 | (P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered and amended to read: |
23 | Section [11] 308. Special permits. |
24 | (a) Issuance and fee.--The licensing authority shall issue a |
25 | special permit for each raffle in which the [licensee] licensed |
26 | eligible organization proposes to award individual prizes |
27 | [having a cash value] in excess of [$500] $1,000. The licensing |
28 | authority may establish and collect a fee not to exceed $25 for |
29 | the issuance of special permits under this section. |
30 | (b) Permit application.--Each special permit application |
|
1 | shall specify the location where the actual drawing will be |
2 | held, the number of chances to be sold, the price per chance and |
3 | the [cash value of the prize or prizes] prize to be awarded. |
4 | Section 12. The act is amended by adding a chapter to read: |
5 | CHAPTER 5 |
6 | CLUB LICENSEES |
7 | Section 501. Club licensee. |
8 | (a) Report.-- |
9 | (1) Beginning in 2013, the club licensee shall submit |
10 | semi-annual reports to the department for the preceding six- |
11 | month period on a form and in a manner prescribed by the |
12 | department. |
13 | (2) The report must be filed under oath or affirmation |
14 | of an authorized officer of the club licensee. |
15 | (3) The report shall include all of the following |
16 | information: |
17 | (i) The proceeds received by the club licensee from |
18 | each game of chance conducted, itemized by week. |
19 | (ii) The amount of prizes paid from all games of |
20 | chance, itemized by week. |
21 | (iii) The amount of proceeds for all games of chance |
22 | not purchased from a licensed distributor operated in the |
23 | prior calendar year. |
24 | (iv) Other costs incurred related to the conduct of |
25 | games of chance. |
26 | (v) The verification of amounts distributed for |
27 | public interest purposes itemized under section |
28 | 502(a)(1), itemized by the recipient. |
29 | (vi) An itemized list of expenditures made or |
30 | amounts retained and expenditures under section |
|
1 | 502(a)(3). |
2 | (vii) The address and the county in which the club |
3 | licensee is located. |
4 | (viii) Other information or documentation required |
5 | by the department. |
6 | (b) Distribution.--The department shall provide a copy of |
7 | the report to the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement. |
8 | (c) Posting.--The reports under subsection (a) shall be |
9 | published on the department's Internet website. |
10 | Section 502. Distribution of proceeds. |
11 | (a) Distribution.--The proceeds from games of chance |
12 | received by a club licensee shall be distributed as follows: |
13 | (1) No less than 70% of the proceeds shall be paid to |
14 | organizations other than the club licensee for public |
15 | interest purposes in the calendar year in which the proceeds |
16 | were obtained. |
17 | (2) No more than 30% of the proceeds obtained in a |
18 | calendar year may be retained by a club licensee and used for |
19 | the following expenses relating to the real property of the |
20 | club licensee: |
21 | (i) Real property taxes. |
22 | (ii) Utility and fuel costs. |
23 | (iii) Heating and air conditioning equipment or |
24 | repair costs. |
25 | (iv) Water and sewer costs. |
26 | (v) Property or liability insurance costs. |
27 | (vi) Mortgage payments. |
28 | (vii) Interior and exterior repair costs, including |
29 | repair to parking lots. |
30 | (viii) New facility construction costs. |
|
1 | (ix) Entertainment equipment, including television, |
2 | video and electronic games. |
3 | (a.1) Amounts retained.--Amounts retained by a club licensee |
4 | under subsection (a)(2) shall be expended within the same |
5 | calendar year unless the club licensee notifies the department |
6 | that funds are being retained for a substantial purchase or |
7 | project. Notification shall include a description of the |
8 | purchase or project, the cost and the anticipated date of the |
9 | purchase or the project. |
10 | (b) Prohibition.--Proceeds shall not be used for wages, |
11 | alcohol or food purchases or for the payment of any fine levied |
12 | against the club licensee. |
13 | Section 503. Raffle tickets. |
14 | A club licensee shall purchase all raffle tickets from a |
15 | licensed distributor. |
16 | Section 13. The act is amended by adding a chapter heading |
17 | to read: |
18 | CHAPTER 7 |
19 | ENFORCEMENT |
20 | Section 14. Section 12 of the act, amended December 19, 1990 |
21 | (P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered and amended to read: |
22 | Section [12] 701. Revocation of licenses. |
23 | (a) Grounds.--The [licensing authority shall revoke or |
24 | refuse to renew the license of any eligible organization |
25 | whenever the district attorney finds upon complaint and |
26 | investigation that] following shall be grounds for suspension, |
27 | revocation or nonrenewal of a license: |
28 | (1) Any of the funds derived from the operation of games |
29 | of chance by an eligible organization are used for any |
30 | purpose other than for: |
|
1 | (i) public interest purposes [or for]; |
2 | (ii) the purchase of games of chance [as]; or |
3 | (iii) a purpose permitted by [this act] Chapter 5. |
4 | (1.1) Any of the funds derived from the operation of |
5 | games of chance by a club licensee are used in a manner that |
6 | does not comply with section 502. |
7 | (2) Any person under 18 years of age is operating or |
8 | playing games of chance [as defined in this act]. |
9 | (3) The eligible organization has permitted any person |
10 | who has been convicted of a felony in a Federal or State |
11 | court within the past five years or has been convicted in a |
12 | Federal or State court within the past ten years of a |
13 | violation of the act of July 10, 1981 (P.L.214, No.67), known |
14 | as the Bingo Law, or of this act, to manage, set up, |
15 | supervise or participate in the operation of games of chance. |
16 | (4) The facility in which the games of chance are played |
17 | does not have adequate means of ingress and egress and does |
18 | not have adequate sanitary facilities available in the area. |
19 | (5) Any person or persons other than a manager, officer, |
20 | director, bar personnel or a bona fide member of an eligible |
21 | organization have been involved in managing, setting up, |
22 | operating or running games of chance. |
23 | (6) Any person has received compensation for conducting |
24 | games of chance. |
25 | (7) Any prize has been awarded in excess of the limits |
26 | permitted under this act. |
27 | (8) The eligible organization has violated any condition |
28 | of a special permit issued pursuant to section [11] 308. |
29 | (9) The eligible organization conducts the games of |
30 | chance under a lease which calls for: |
|
1 | (i) leasing such premises from the owner thereof |
2 | under an oral agreement; or |
3 | (ii) leasing such premises from the owner thereof |
4 | under a written agreement at a rental which is determined |
5 | by the amount of receipts realized from the playing of |
6 | games of chance. |
7 | (10) False or erroneous information was provided in the |
8 | original application or in any information provided to the |
9 | licensing authority or the department in any report. |
10 | (11) An eligible organization has been convicted of a |
11 | violation of this act as evidenced by a certified record of |
12 | the conviction. |
13 | (12) The eligible organization has permitted another |
14 | eligible organization to conduct [small] games of chance on |
15 | its licensed premises without suspending its own operation of |
16 | [small] games of chance during the period that the other |
17 | licensed eligible organization is conducting its games on the |
18 | premises. |
19 | (13) A club licensee has failed to file an accurate |
20 | report under section 501(a). |
21 | (14) A club licensee has failed to comply with section |
22 | 502. |
23 | (b) Production of records.--The district attorney may |
24 | require licensees to produce their books, accounts and records |
25 | relating to the conduct of games of chance in order to determine |
26 | [whether a license should be revoked or renewal thereof denied] |
27 | if a violation of this act has occurred. Licensees shall also be |
28 | required, upon request, to [produce] provide their license, |
29 | books, accounts and records relating to the conduct of games of |
30 | chance to [other] the licensing authority, the Bureau of Liquor |
|
1 | Control Enforcement or to a law enforcement [officials upon |
2 | proper request.] agency or official. A club licensee shall |
3 | retain records for a period of five years. |
4 | Section 15. Section 13 of the act is renumbered and amended |
5 | to read: |
6 | Section [13] 702. Enforcement. |
7 | [(a) District attorney.--The district attorney shall |
8 | investigate alleged violations of this act. If the district |
9 | attorney finds probable cause to believe that a violation has |
10 | occurred, he may file a complaint against the alleged violator |
11 | in the court of common pleas of said county, except in counties |
12 | of the first class where the complaint may be filed in the |
13 | municipal court. In addition, the district attorney shall |
14 | prosecute said complaint in the manner provided by law. |
15 | (b) Other law enforcement officials.--Nothing in this act |
16 | shall be interpreted to restrict the power of a State, county or |
17 | local law enforcement officials to conduct investigations and |
18 | enforce the provisions of this act.] |
19 | (a) Licensing authority.--The licensing authority may |
20 | enforce the provisions of this act and may impose the penalties |
21 | under subsection (d). |
22 | (b) Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement.--If the licensee |
23 | is a club licensee, the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement may |
24 | enforce the provisions of this act. An administrative law judge |
25 | under section 212 of the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), |
26 | known as the Liquor Code, may impose the penalties under |
27 | subsection (d) following the issuance of a citation by the |
28 | bureau. |
29 | (c) Random audits.--The Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement |
30 | shall conduct annual random audits of 5% of all club licensees. |
|
1 | (d) Powers and duties.--The licensing authority, or, in the |
2 | case of a club licensee, the Bureau of Liquor Control |
3 | Enforcement may impose the following penalties: |
4 | (1) A civil penalty. |
5 | (2) Suspension or revocation of the license. |
6 | (e) District attorney.--The district attorney of the county |
7 | that issued the license shall investigate alleged violations of |
8 | this act. If the district attorney finds probable cause to |
9 | believe that a criminal violation has occurred, the district |
10 | attorney may file criminal charges and prosecute the complaint |
11 | against the alleged violator in the court of common pleas of the |
12 | county, except in counties of the first class where the |
13 | complaint may be filed in the municipal court. |
14 | (f) Law enforcement officials.--Nothing in this act may |
15 | restrict or limit the power of a State, county or local law |
16 | enforcement official to conduct investigations and file criminal |
17 | charges under this act. |
18 | (g) Liquor Code.--A violation of this act shall not |
19 | constitute a violation of the Liquor Code. |
20 | Section 16. Section 14 of the act, amended July 11, 1990 |
21 | (P.L.449, No.108) and December 19, 1990 (P.L.812, No.195), is |
22 | renumbered and amended to read: |
23 | Section [14] 703. Local option. |
24 | (a) Election to be held.--In any municipality, an election |
25 | may be held on the date of the primary election immediately |
26 | preceding any municipal election, but not more than once in four |
27 | years, to determine the will of the electors with respect to the |
28 | issuance of licenses within the limits of such municipality |
29 | under the provisions of this act. Where an election shall have |
30 | been held at the primary election preceding a municipal election |
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1 | in any year, another election may be held under the provisions |
2 | of this act at the primary election occurring the fourth year |
3 | after such prior election. Whenever electors equal to at least |
4 | 25% of the highest vote cast for any office in the municipality |
5 | at the last preceding general election shall file a petition |
6 | with the county board of elections of the county, or the |
7 | governing body of the municipality adopts, by a majority vote, a |
8 | resolution to place such a question on the ballot and a copy of |
9 | the resolution is filed with the board of elections of the |
10 | county, for a referendum on the question of issuing licenses, |
11 | the county board of elections shall cause a question to be |
12 | placed on the ballot or on the voting machine board and |
13 | submitted at the primary election immediately preceding the |
14 | municipal election. The question shall be in the following form: |
15 | Do you favor the issuance of licenses |
16 | to conduct small games of chance in the |
17 | of ? |
18 | (b) Vote.--If a majority of the electors voting on the |
19 | question vote "yes," then licenses shall be issued by the |
20 | licensing authority in such municipality, but if a majority of |
21 | the electors voting on any such question vote "no," then the |
22 | licensing authority shall have no power to issue or to renew, |
23 | upon their expiration, any licenses in such municipality, unless |
24 | and until, at a later election, a majority of the voting |
25 | electors vote "yes" on such question. |
26 | (c) Voting proceedings.--Proceedings under this section |
27 | shall be in accordance with the provisions of the act of June 3, |
28 | 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election |
29 | Code. |
30 | (d) Applicability.--This act applies only to those eligible |
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1 | organizations located in municipalities which have adopted the |
2 | provisions of this act by an affirmative vote in a municipal |
3 | referendum in accordance with the provisions of this section. |
4 | (e) Withdrawal of approval.--The referendum procedure |
5 | contained in this section shall also be available to withdraw |
6 | the approval of the issuance of such licenses within such |
7 | municipality which was granted through a prior referendum. |
8 | (f) Special exception.--Notwithstanding any other provision |
9 | of this act to the contrary, in any municipality except a city |
10 | of the first class where an election was held pursuant to this |
11 | section on May 16, 1989, and a majority of the electors voted |
12 | "NO" on the question, the municipality shall be able to resubmit |
13 | the question, in accordance with the procedures set forth in |
14 | this section, at the general election immediately following [the |
15 | effective date of this amendatory act] July 11, 1990. |
16 | Section 17. Section 15 of the act, amended December 19, 1990 |
17 | (P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered to read: |
18 | Section [15] 704. Advertising. |
19 | It shall be unlawful for any eligible organization or person |
20 | to advertise the prizes or their dollar value to be awarded in |
21 | games of chance, provided that prizes may be identified on |
22 | raffle tickets. Notwithstanding the prohibition of advertising |
23 | contained within this section, an eligible organization may |
24 | advertise prizes and values thereof in periodic publications |
25 | which are limited in their circulation to members of the |
26 | eligible organization. |
27 | Section 18. Section 16 of the act is renumbered and amended |
28 | to read: |
29 | Section [16] 705. Certain persons prohibited. |
30 | No licensed distributor nor any person who has been convicted |
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1 | of a felony or of a violation of the act of July 10, 1981 |
2 | (P.L.214, No.67), known as the Bingo Law, or of this act or of |
3 | any comparable State or Federal law shall have a pecuniary |
4 | interest in the operation [or proceeds of games of chance] or in |
5 | proceeds. |
6 | Section 19. The act is amended by adding a section to read: |
7 | Section 706. Civil penalties. |
8 | (a) Penalty.--An eligible organization, other than a club |
9 | licensee, that violates the provisions of this act shall be |
10 | subject to the following civil penalties: |
11 | (1) For an initial violation, up to $500. |
12 | (2) For a second violation, up to $1,000. |
13 | (3) For a third or subsequent violation, up to $1,500. |
14 | (b) Club licensee.--A club licensee that violates the |
15 | provisions of this act shall be subject to the following civil |
16 | penalties: |
17 | (1) For an initial violation, up to $1,000. |
18 | (2) For a second violation, up to $2,000. |
19 | (3) For a third or subsequent violation, up to $3,000. |
20 | (c) Records.--The intentional or willful failure of a club |
21 | licensee to provide accurate records shall result in a license |
22 | suspension of a minimum of six months. |
23 | Section 20. Section 17 of the act, amended December 19, 1990 |
24 | (P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered and amended to read: |
25 | Section [17] 707. [Penalties] Criminal penalties. |
26 | (a) Eligible organizations and club licensees.--Any eligible |
27 | organization violating the provisions of this act shall be |
28 | guilty of a summary offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall |
29 | be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $1,000 [and shall] for |
30 | a first offense[,] and $1,500 for a subsequent offense. In |
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1 | addition: |
2 | (1) For a first offense, the eligible organization shall |
3 | forfeit the license to conduct games of chance issued to the |
4 | eligible organization for [the remainder of the licensing |
5 | period or six months, whichever is longer, for] a period of |
6 | not more than 30 days. |
7 | (2) For a second offense, the eligible organization |
8 | shall forfeit [the] its license [issued to the eligible |
9 | organization] for [the remainder of the current licensing |
10 | period and be ineligible to be licensed for the following |
11 | licensing period, for] a period of not less than 30 days nor |
12 | more than 180 days. |
13 | (3) For a third or subsequent offense[,] within three |
14 | years of the first offense, the eligible organization shall |
15 | forfeit [the] its license [issued to the eligible |
16 | organization] and be ineligible for a license renewal for 30 |
17 | months thereafter. |
18 | (b) Individuals.--Any person who conducts or assists in the |
19 | conducting of games of chance in violation of the provisions of |
20 | this act is guilty of a summary offense for a first violation. A |
21 | second violation of this act shall be punishable as a |
22 | misdemeanor of the third degree. A third or subsequent violation |
23 | shall be punishable as a misdemeanor of the first degree. |
24 | (c) Distributors and manufacturers.--Any person who |
25 | distributes games of chance without a license or in violation of |
26 | any provision of this act or applicable regulations, and any |
27 | manufacturer of games of chance who delivers games of chance for |
28 | sale or distribution in this Commonwealth who fails to register |
29 | and obtain a permit therefor is guilty of a misdemeanor of the |
30 | first degree, provided that no license or permit shall be |
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1 | required for the manufacture or distribution of raffle tickets. |
2 | (d) Rigging.--A person commits a misdemeanor of the first |
3 | degree if, with intent to prevent a game of chance from being |
4 | conducted in accordance with the requirements of this act or the |
5 | rules and usages governing the game of chance, he: |
6 | (1) confers or offers or agrees to confer any benefit |
7 | upon or threatens any injury to a participant or other person |
8 | associated with the game of chance; |
9 | (2) tampers with any person or [games] game of chance; |
10 | or |
11 | (3) solicits, accepts or agrees to accept any benefit. |
12 | (e) Contingent fees.--Any person who distributes, |
13 | manufactures or operates a small game of chance and who |
14 | requires, for equipment furnished or to play a game of chance, |
15 | payment equal to a percentage of the total winnings of any game |
16 | of chance commits a misdemeanor of the first degree. |
17 | Section 21. The act is amended by adding a chapter heading |
18 | to read: |
19 | CHAPTER 31 |
20 | MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS |
21 | Section 22. Section 18 of the act is renumbered to read: |
22 | Section [18] 3101. Effective date. |
23 | This act shall take effect in 60 days. |
24 | Section 23. This act shall take effect in 30 days. |
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