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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | July 21, 2020 12:29 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Mike Reese and Rep. Ryan Warner |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Virtual Small Games of Chance During COVID-19 Pandemic |
| In the near future, we intend to introduce legislation to permit Small Games of Chance (SGOC) licensees to conduct games online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Events to raffle popular items such as golf equipment and other items have become important community fundraisers throughout Pennsylvania. COVID-19 restrictions have greatly inhibited the fire departments, veterans’ associations and other non-profit organizations that rely on revenue from these events. However, many of these entities have not only continued to operate, but in some cases, particularly first response agencies, have experienced an increase in their expenses because of the coronavirus. Some licensees took an innovative approach to make up for this revenue loss by using online methods to conduct games of chance. However, current enforcement regulations and procedures do not expressly allow for online sales of small games chances but do prohibit licensees from accepting credit card and online payments from participants. Our legislation proposes statutory language to allow SGOC licensees to conduct online games as well as conduct online transactions during the duration of the COVID-19 emergency declaration. Please consider joining us in this important effort. |
Introduced as HB2764