PRINTER'S NO. 3616
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2216
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY BARBIN, SAINATO, D. COSTA, MASSER, MILLARD AND
A. HARRIS, JUNE 23, 2016
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GAMING OVERSIGHT, JUNE 23, 2016
AN ACT
Amending the act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262, No.156),
entitled, as amended, "An act providing for the licensing of
eligible organizations to conduct games of chance, for the
licensing of persons to distribute games of chance, for the
registration of manufacturers of games of chance, and for
suspensions and revocations of licenses and permits;
requiring records; providing for local referendum by
electorate; and prescribing penalties," in preliminary
provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in games
of chance, providing for Texas Hold'em card tournaments.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 103 of the act of December 19, 1988
(P.L.1262, No.156), known as the Local Option Small Games of
Chance Act, is amended by adding a definition to read:
Section 103. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall,
except as provided under section 902, have the meanings given to
them in this section unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise:
* * *
"Texas Hold'em card tournament." A poker variant or
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community card game where each player may use any combination of
five community cards and the player's own two hole cards to make
a poker hand. In tournament format, a player may bet up to the
amount of chips the player possesses.
* * *
Section 2. The act is amended by adding a section to read:
Section 301.2. Texas Hold'em card tournaments.
(a) Conduct.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this
act, Texas Hold'em card tournaments may be conducted by
volunteer fire companies to which a license has been issued
under this section up to four times per calendar year. All Texas
Hold'em card tournaments must be held on volunteer fire company
grounds. Revenue generated from Texas Hold'em card tournaments
shall be used for public interest purposes as permitted under
this chapter.
(b) Special license.--A special license shall be required
for volunteer fire companies to conduct up to four Texas Hold'em
card tournaments per calendar year. A license fee of $1,000
shall be charged to permit volunteer fire companies to conduct
up to four Texas Hold'em card tournaments per calendar year.
(c) Entry fee.--A volunteer fire company may charge an entry
fee of no more than $100 per person.
(d) Prizes.--Notwithstanding section 302, volunteer fire
companies shall pay out prizes to no more than the top five
winning persons in a declining manner based on the player's
final placement in the Texas Hold'em card tournament. The prize
pool shall be based on entry fees collected.
(e) Costs and profits.--A volunteer fire company may keep up
to 60% of the entry fees collected.
(f) Regulations.--The department shall promulgate
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regulations to impose standards and restrictions for the conduct
of Texas Hold'em card tournaments.
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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