PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 61

PRINTER'S NO.  2694

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

HOUSE BILL

 

No.

169

Session of

2011

  

  

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

  

  

AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON GAMING OVERSIGHT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, NOVEMBER 2, 2011   

  

  

  

AN ACT

  

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

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9

definitions, for permitted games of chance, for prize limits,

10

for insured games, for limited sales, for recordkeeping, for

11

eligible organizations' use of locations for conducting small

12

games of chance, for separate individual prize limitations,

13

for enforcement and for advertising. further providing for

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14

legislative intent, for definitions, for games of chance

15

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

16

distributor licenses, for registration of manufacturers, 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 local option, for

20

advertising and for penalties; and making editorial changes.

21

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

22

hereby enacts as follows:

23

Section 1.  The definitions of "daily drawing" and "games of

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24

chance" in section 3 of the act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262,

 


1

No.156), known as the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act,

2

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

3

(P.L.602, No.79), are amended and the section is amended by

4

adding definitions to read:

5

Section 3.  Definitions.

6

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall

7

have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

8

context clearly indicates otherwise:

9

* * *

10

"Daily drawing."  A game in which a bona fide member selects

11

or is assigned a number for a chance at a prize with the winner

12

determined by [a] random drawing to take place on the eligible

13

organization's premises [during the same operating day]. The

14

term includes games commonly known as "member sign-in lotteries"

15

and "half-and-half lotteries." Nothing in this act shall be

16

construed to prohibit the carrying over of a jackpot where the

17

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

18

operating day. Daily drawing winners may be determined with the

19

aid of a passive selection device or reference to drawings

20

conducted by the department pursuant to the act of August 26,

21

1971 (P.L.351, No.91), known as the State Lottery Law. Daily

22

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

23

and no more than one chance per individual may be sold [to an

24

individual during the same operating day.] per drawing. Nothing

25

in this definition shall restrict an eligible organization from

26

conducting more than one drawing per day.

27

* * *

28

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

29

drawings, monthly drawings, raffles and pull-tabs, as defined in

30

this act, provided that no such game shall be played by or with

- 2 -

 


1

the assistance of any mechanical or electrical devices or media

2

other than a dispensing machine or passive selection device and

3

further provided that the particular chance taken by any person

4

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

5

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

6

determined solely at the discretion of the purchaser. This

7

definition shall not be construed to authorize any other form of

8

gambling currently prohibited under any provision of Title 18 of

9

the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (relating to crimes and

10

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

11

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

12

"General operating expenses."  The following operating

13

expenses associated with the real property owned or leased by an

14

eligible organization and used for public interest purposes or

15

for conducting small games of chance:

16

(1)  Real property taxes.

17

(2)  Utilities.

18

(3)  Heating and air conditioning.

19

(4)  Water and sewer.

20

(5)  Property insurance.

21

(6)  Liability insurance.

22

(7)  Mortgage payments.

23

(8)  Interior and exterior repairs, including parking lot

24

repairs.

25

(9)  New facility construction.

26

(10)  Any other expense as provided in regulations

27

promulgated by the department.

28

The term shall not include wages, alcohol purchases or payment

29

of any fine levied against the eligible organization.

30

* * *

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1

"Monthly drawing."  A game in which a bona fide member

2

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

3

with the winner determined by a random drawing to take place on

4

the eligible organization's premises during any operating month.

5

Nothing in this act shall be construed to prohibit the carrying

6

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

7

in the game in a particular month. Monthly drawing winners may

8

be determined with the aid of a passive selection device or

9

reference to drawings conducted by the Department of Revenue

10

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

11

as the State Lottery Law. Monthly drawing chances may not be

12

sold for an amount in excess of $1.

13

* * *

14

Section 2.  Section 4 of the act, amended December 19, 1990

15

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

16

Section 4.  Games of chance permitted.

17

Every eligible organization to which a license has been

18

issued under the provisions of this act may conduct games of

19

chance for the purpose of raising funds for general operating

20

expenses and for public interest purposes. [All proceeds of

21

games of chance shall be used exclusively for public interest

22

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

23

this act.] Proceeds of games of chance shall be used as follows:

24

(1)  Sixty percent of proceeds shall be used for public

25

interest purposes.

26

(2)  Forty percent of proceeds shall be used for general

27

operating expenses.

28

Section 3.  Section 5 of the act, amended December 19, 1990

29

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

30

amended to read:

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1

Section 5.  Prize limits.

2

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

3

subsection (j), the maximum cash value which may be awarded for

4

any single chance shall be [$500] $1,000.

5

(b)  Weekly limit.--No more than [$5,000] $25,000 in cash or

6

merchandise shall be awarded by any eligible organization in any

7

seven-day period. Payouts of less than $26 shall not be counted

8

toward the weekly limit.

9

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

10

merchandise shall be awarded in raffles in any calendar month.

11

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

12

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

13

$1,000 each only under the following conditions:

14

(1)  The licensing authority has issued a special permit

15

for the raffle under section 11.

16

(2)  Eligible organizations shall be eligible to receive

17

no more than [two] three special permits in any licensed year

18

[except that volunteer fire, ambulance and rescue

19

organizations shall be eligible to receive no more than three

20

special permits in any licensed year].

21

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

22

permit.

23

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

24

than $100,000 per calendar year.

25

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

26

governed by the prize [limitations] limitation contained in

27

[subsections (a) and (b)] subsection (a). [An eligible

28

organization shall not conduct daily drawings during a period

29

when a weekly drawing is taking place.]

30

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

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1

[subsections (a) and (b)] subsection (a) may be exceeded by a

2

daily drawing under the following circumstances: a daily drawing

3

may award a prize where the cash value is in excess of [$500] 

4

$1,000 if such prize is the result of a carryover of a drawing

5

or drawings which resulted from the winning number in such

6

drawing or drawings not being among the eligible entrants in

7

such drawings. Nothing contained herein shall authorize the

8

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

9

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

10

to conduct a drawing on an operating day during which chances

11

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

12

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

13

chance was sold to an eligible participant.

14

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

15

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

16

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

17

generated from such drawing, the limitations contained in

18

subsection (b) shall not apply.

19

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

20

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

21

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

22

by a weekly drawing under the following circumstances: a weekly

23

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

24

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

25

drawing or drawings which resulted from the winning number or

26

numbers in such drawing or drawings not being among the eligible

27

entrants in such drawings. Nothing contained in this act shall

28

authorize the prize limitations as contained in subsection (b)

29

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

30

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

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1

for a weekly drawing for which chances were sold in excess of

2

$1. [An eligible organization shall not conduct weekly drawings

3

during a period when a daily drawing is taking place.]

4

(i)  Limit on monthly drawings.--No more than $50,000 in cash

5

or merchandise may be awarded in any calendar month except under

6

the following circumstances: a monthly drawing may award a prize

7

where the cash value is in excess of $50,000 if the prize is the

8

result of a carryover of a drawing or drawings that resulted

9

from the winning number or numbers in the drawing or drawings

10

not being among the eligible entrants in the drawing. Nothing

11

contained in this act shall authorize the prize limitations to

12

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

13

month during which chances were sold for a monthly drawing or

14

for a monthly drawing for which chances were sold in excess of

15

$1.

16

(j)  Authorization.--Progressive games shall be permitted

17

with a maximum cash value of $5,000. Contributions to the pot

18

shall be counted against the limit for the week in which the

19

contribution is made except that when the limit is reached the

20

amount awarded shall be counted toward the limit only to the

21

extent it was not previously counted toward a prior week's

22

limit.

23

(k)  Emergency services fundraiser.--Notwithstanding any

24

other provision of this section, an eligible organization that

25

performs emergency services shall be permitted to conduct one

26

drawing per year with an award of $50,000 for the purpose of

27

raising funds to purchase emergency services equipment.

28

(l)  Definition.--As used in this section, the term

29

"progressive game" means a game of chance in which a winning

30

ticket awards the ticketholder an additional chance at another

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1

game of chance.

2

Section 4.  The act is amended by adding a section to read:

3

Section 5.1.  Insured games.

4

(a)  Authorization.--Notwithstanding any provision of this

5

act to the contrary, an eligible organization may conduct small

6

games of chance using insured games. Insured games sold by a

7

licensed distributor shall be insured by a valid insurance

8

contract issued by an insurance company licensed by the

9

Insurance Department to do business as an insurance company in

10

this Commonwealth. Proof of the insurance contract must be

11

provided to the department prior to the game being sold. The

12

license of a distributor and an insurance company issuing a

13

contract for an insured game may be suspended or revoked for

14

failure to pay an award.

15

(b)  Definition.--As used in this section, the term "insured

16

game" means a game of chance in which the distributor or other

17

licensed third party guarantees making the payment on a win of a

18

jackpot.

19

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

20

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

21

Section 6.  Sales limited.

22

No person shall sell, offer for sale or furnish games of

23

chance for use within this Commonwealth except to an eligible

24

organization or distributor licensed under this act. No game of

25

chance, other than a raffle, sold, offered for sale or furnished

26

for use within this Commonwealth shall contain, permit, depict

27

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

28

$1,000.

29

Section 6.  Section 9(b) of the act, amended December 19,

30

1990 (P.L.812, No.195), is amended to read:

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1

Section 9.  Regulations of department.

2

* * *

3

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

4

shall not be construed to authorize the department to promulgate

5

regulations providing for recordkeeping requirements for

6

eligible organizations which require unreasonable or unnecessary

7

information or a repetitious listing of information. The

8

department shall strive to keep such recordkeeping requirements

9

from being an undue hardship or burden on eligible

10

organizations. Under no circumstances shall the department

11

require the retention of records for a period in excess of [two

12

years] one year. Each eligible organization shall report to the

13

department prizes awarded as required by section 335 of the act

14

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

15

1971.

16

Section 7.  Section 10 of the act, amended December 19, 1990

17

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

18

amended to read:

19

Section 10.  Licensing of eligible organizations to conduct

20

games of chance.

21

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

22

conduct or operate any games of chance unless such eligible

23

organization has obtained and maintains a valid license issued

24

pursuant to this section. Auxiliary groups within eligible

25

organizations shall be eligible to conduct small games of chance

26

using the license issued to the eligible organization provided

27

that the auxiliary group or groups are listed on the application

28

and license of the eligible organization. No additional

29

licensing fee shall be charged for an auxiliary group's

30

eligibility under this act. Auxiliary groups shall not include

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1

branches, lodges or chapters of a Statewide organization.

2

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

3

license, upon application, within 30 days any eligible

4

organization meeting the requirements for licensure contained in

5

this act to conduct and operate games of chance at such

6

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

7

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

8

be charged to each eligible organization shall be [$100] $300,

9

except for limited occasion licenses which shall be [$10] $30.

10

Licenses shall be renewable [annually] on a biennial basis upon

11

the anniversary of the date of issue.

12

(b.1)  Location of small games of chance.--Where there exists

13

a location or premises which is the normal business or operating

14

site of the eligible organization and is owned or leased by that

15

eligible organization to conduct its normal business, that site

16

shall be the licensed premises for small games of chance

17

conducted by the eligible organization. If that location

18

consists of more than one building and the eligible organization

19

wishes to conduct its games in a different building at that

20

location from the one that is listed on its application and

21

license, the eligible organization must notify, in writing, the

22

district attorney and the licensing authority of the change in

23

building site and the dates and times that will be affected.

24

When an eligible organization does not own or lease a specific

25

location to conduct its normal business, that eligible

26

organization may use another eligible organization's premises to

27

conduct its games or may make such other arrangements that are

28

consistent with this act, including, but not limited to, leasing

29

a premise under a written agreement for a rental which is not

30

determined by either the amount of receipts realized from the

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1

playing of games of chance nor the number of people attending

2

except that an eligible organization may lease a facility for a

3

banquet where a per head charge is applied in connection with

4

the serving of a meal. When such eligible organization changes

5

the site of its games from that which is listed on its

6

application and license, the eligible organization must notify,

7

in writing, the district attorney and licensing authority of the

8

change in their games' site and dates and times that will be

9

affected. More than one eligible organization may use the same

10

location, provided that each eligible organization has a

11

separate license. If more than one licensed eligible

12

organization uses the same location, the prize limitations of

13

this act shall apply to each licensed eligible organization.

14

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

15

other provisions of this section, an eligible organization may

16

conduct small games of chance at a location off its premises

17

when such games are part of an annual carnival, fair, picnic or

18

banquet held or participated in by that eligible organization on

19

a historical basis. The eligible organization must notify, in

20

writing, the district attorney and licensing authority of the

21

location, date and times of such events where it will be

22

conducting small games of chance.

23

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

24

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

25

specific location to conduct their normal business may apply for

26

a limited occasion license to conduct small games of chance on

27

not more than three occasions covering a total of seven days

28

during a licensed year. A limited occasion license entitles

29

eligible organizations holding such a license to conduct no more

30

than two raffles during a licensed year where prizes may not

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1

exceed the established limits for regular monthly raffles.

2

Holders of limited occasion licenses may not apply or be granted

3

any other license or special permit under this act. No holder of

4

a regular license or special permit under this act shall apply

5

or be granted a limited occasion license.

6

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

7

for a person, corporation, association, partnership or other

8

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

9

facility to be used exclusively for the conducting of small

10

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

11

organization to lease under any terms a facility or building

12

which is used exclusively for the conducting of small games of

13

chance.

14

(b.5)  Authorization.--A licensed eligible organization may

15

sell on its licensed premises the raffle tickets of another

16

licensed eligible organization that has been issued a limited

17

occasion license under subsection (b.3).

18

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

19

be publicly displayed at the site of the small games of chance.

20

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

21

comply with the following restrictions and rules governing the

22

operation of games of chance:

23

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

24

to operate or play games of chance.

25

(2)  No eligible organization shall permit any person who

26

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

27

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

28

or State court within the past ten years of a violation of

29

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

30

Law, or of this act to manage, set up, supervise or

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1

participate in the operation of games of chance.

2

(3)  No eligible organization shall pay any compensation

3

to any person for conducting any games of chance. Games of

4

chance may only be conducted by managers, officers,

5

directors, bar personnel and bona fide members of the

6

eligible organization.

7

(4)  Games shall be conducted only on the licensed

8

premises or as otherwise provided by this act.

9

(5)  The eligible organization shall not lease such

10

premises under either an oral or a written agreement for a

11

rental which is determined by either the amount of receipts

12

realized from the playing of games of chance or the number of

13

people attending, except that an eligible organization may

14

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

15

applied in connection with the serving of a meal. An eligible

16

organization shall not lease such premises from any person

17

who has been convicted of a violation of this act within the

18

past ten years.

19

(6)  Games, other than raffles, daily drawings [and], 

20

weekly drawings and monthly drawings, shall be purchased only

21

from manufacturers and distributors approved by the

22

department.

23

(7)  No licensed eligible organization shall permit its

24

premises to be used for small games of chance by another

25

licensed eligible organization at the same time that it is

26

conducting small games of chance on the premises. When a

27

licensed eligible organization is permitting another licensed

28

eligible organization to use its premises for purposes of

29

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

30

small games of chance during the period that the other

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1

licensed eligible organization is conducting its games on the

2

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

(9)  The eligible organization shall keep a bank account

14

to hold the proceeds of small games of chance, which shall be

15

separate from all other funds belonging to the eligible

16

organization. Account records shall show all expenditures and

17

income, and these records shall be retained by the eligible

18

organization for no less than one year in a fire-proof

19

container.

20

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

21

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

22

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

23

contain an affidavit to be affirmed by the executive officer or

24

secretary of the eligible organization stating that:

25

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

26

the eligible organization to operate or play games of chance.

27

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

28

played has adequate means of ingress and egress and adequate

29

sanitary facilities available in the area.

30

(3)  The eligible organization is not leasing such

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1

premises from the owner thereof under an oral agreement, nor

2

is it leasing such premises from the owner thereof under a

3

written agreement at a rental which is determined by the

4

amount of receipts realized from the playing of games of

5

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

6

eligible organization may lease a facility for a banquet

7

where a per head charge is applied in connection with the

8

serving of a meal.

9

(4)  The eligible organization has a separate bank

10

account to hold all proceeds of small games of chance.

11

(e.1)  Supplemental materials to accompany application.--An

12

annual financial report limited to the operation of games of

13

chance detailing gross profit, allowable expenses, rent, staff

14

per diem, cost of supplies, net profit and contributions to

15

charitable causes shall be filed with the licensing authority

16

and submitted with the application. This report shall be filed

17

with the application for license and shall be filed by the

18

midterm anniversary date of the license in nonapplication years.

19

This report shall be prepared on a one-page form to be designed

20

by the department. The report shall contain information for the

21

12-month period immediately preceding a date 60 days prior to

22

the filing of the report. Failure to file the report by the

23

midterm anniversary date of the license shall result in the

24

automatic suspension of the license until the licensing

25

authority certifies the report has been filed in compliance with

26

this act.

27

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

28

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

29

Department of Revenue.

30

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

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1

include with any license or renewal issued to an eligible

2

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

3

within the licensing county which have approved the referendum

4

question on small games of chance.

5

(h)  Background checks.--Each application shall include

6

criminal history records obtained from the Pennsylvania State

7

Police for the executive officer or secretary of the eligible

8

organization making the application, all other responsible

9

persons listed on the application and the eligible

10

organization's treasurer.

11

Section 8.  Section 13 of the act is amended to read:

12

Section 13.  Enforcement.

13

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

14

investigate alleged violations of this act. If the district

15

attorney finds probable cause to believe that a violation has

16

occurred, he may file a complaint against the alleged violator

17

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

18

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

19

municipal court. In addition, the district attorney shall

20

prosecute said complaint in the manner provided by law.

21

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

22

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

23

local law enforcement officials to conduct investigations [and

24

enforce the provisions] of this act[.] and provide the results

25

of those investigations to the district attorney for enforcement

26

pursuant to subsection (a).

27

(c)  Department.--The department shall investigate and

28

enforce violations of this act in accordance with the act of

29

April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, and

30

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

- 16 -

 


1

Code of 1971.

2

Section 9.  Section 15 of the act, amended December 19, 1990

3

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

4

Section 15.  Advertising.

5

[It shall  be unlawful for any] An eligible organization or

6

person [to] may advertise the prizes or their dollar value to be

7

awarded in games of chance, provided that [prizes may be

8

identified on raffle tickets. Notwithstanding the prohibition of

9

advertising contained within this section, an eligible

10

organization may advertise prizes and values thereof in periodic

11

publications which are limited in their circulation to members

12

of the eligible organization.] such advertisements are limited

13

to publications to members of the eligible organization or signs

14

located on the eligible organization's premises.

15

Section 10.  The amendment or addition of section 10(b),

16

(e.1) and (h) of the act shall apply to applications filed more

17

than two years after the effective date of this section.

18

Section 11.  This act shall take effect as follows:

19

(1)  The following provisions shall take effect

20

immediately:

21

(i)  The amendment or addition of section 10(b),

22

(e.1) and (h) of the act.

23

(ii)  Section 10 of this act.

24

(iii)  This section.

25

(2)  The remainder of this act shall take effect in 60

26

days.

27

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

<--

28

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

29

by adding a chapter heading to read:

30

CHAPTER 1

- 17 -

 


1

PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

2

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

3

Section [1] 101.  Short title.

4

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

5

Small Games of Chance Act.

6

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

7

to read:

8

Section [2] 102.  Legislative intent.

9

[The General Assembly hereby declares that the playing of

10

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

11

certain nonprofit associations, for the promotion of charitable

12

or civic purposes, is in the public interest.]

13

The General Assembly hereby declares that the playing of

14

small games of chance by certain nonprofit associations for the

15

primary purpose of raising funds for charitable or civic

16

purposes is in the public interest.

17

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the General

18

Assembly that all phases of licensing, operation and regulation

19

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

20

laws and regulations with respect thereto as well as all

21

gambling laws should be strictly construed and rigidly enforced.

22

The General Assembly recognizes the possibility of

23

association between commercial gambling and organized crime, and

24

wishes to discourage commercialization of small games of chance,

25

prevent participation by organized crime and prevent the

26

diversion of funds from the purposes herein authorized.

27

Section 3.  The definitions of "civic and service

28

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

29

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

30

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

- 18 -

 


1

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

2

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

3

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

4

adding definitions to read:

5

Section [3] 103.  Definitions.

6

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall

7

have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

8

context clearly indicates otherwise:

9

* * *

10

"Civic and service [associations] association."  Any

11

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

12

State organization which is authorized by its written

13

constitution, charter, articles of incorporation or bylaws to

14

engage in a civic or service purpose within this Commonwealth,

15

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

16

term also means a similar local nonprofit organization, not

17

affiliated with a national or State organization, which is

18

recognized by a resolution adopted by the governing body of the

19

municipality in which the organization conducts its principal

20

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

21

Statewide or local bona fide sportsmen's and wildlife

22

associations, federations or clubs, [Statewide or local in

23

nature,] volunteer fire companies, volunteer rescue squads and

24

volunteer ambulance associations and [bona fide] senior citizens

25

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

26

organizations, the licensing authority may accept alternative

27

documentation for proof of purposes when there are no bylaws or

28

articles of incorporation in existence. The term shall also

29

include nonprofit organizations which are established to promote

30

and encourage participation and support for extracurricular

- 19 -

 


1

activities within the established primary and secondary public,

2

private and parochial school systems. Such organizations must be

3

recognized by a resolution adopted by the appropriate governing

4

body. In the case of organizations associated with the public

5

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

6

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

7

organizations, that body shall be either the board of trustees

8

or the Archdiocese.

9

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

10

that:

11

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

12

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

13

Liquor Code[, that]; and

14

(2)  qualifies as an exempt organization under section

15

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

16

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

17

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

18

charitable, religious or civic purpose or is organized to

19

benefit a political party].

20

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

21

small games of chance.

22

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

23

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

24

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

25

on the licensed eligible organization's premises during the same

26

operating day. The term includes games of chance commonly known

27

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

28

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

29

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

30

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

- 20 -

 


1

winners may be determined with the aid of a passive selection

2

device or reference to drawings conducted by the department

3

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

4

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

5

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

6

be sold to an individual during the same operating day.

7

* * *

8

"Eligible [organizations] organization."  Includes qualifying

9

nonprofit charitable, religious, fraternal and veterans

10

organizations, clubs and civic and service associations as

11

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

12

organization for purposes of this act, an organization shall

13

have been in existence and fulfilling its purposes for one year

14

prior to the date of application for a license.

15

"Fraternal [organizations] organization."  A nonprofit

16

organization within this Commonwealth which is created and

17

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

18

membership and a representative form of government and is a

19

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

20

Such organizations shall have been in existence in this

21

Commonwealth and fulfilling their purposes for one year prior to

22

the date of application for a license.

23

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

24

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

25

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

26

be played by or with the assistance of any mechanical or

27

electrical devices or media other than a dispensing machine or

28

passive selection device and further provided that the

29

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

30

be made contingent upon any other occurrence or the winning of

- 21 -

 


1

any other contest, but shall be determined solely at the

2

discretion of the purchaser. This definition shall not be

3

construed to authorize any other form of gambling currently

4

prohibited under any [provision of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania

5

Consolidated Statutes (relating to crimes and offenses)] other

6

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

7

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

8

poker."

9

"General operating expenses."

10

(1)  The following operating expenses associated with the

11

real property owned or leased by an eligible organization and

12

used for public interest purposes:

13

(i)  Real property taxes.

14

(ii)  Utilities.

15

(iii)  Heating and air conditioning.

16

(iv)  Water and sewer.

17

(v)  Property insurance.

18

(vi)  Liability insurance.

19

(vii)  Mortgage payments.

20

(viii)  Interior and exterior repairs, including

21

parking lot repairs.

22

(ix)  New facility construction.

23

(x)  Any other expense as provided in regulations

24

promulgated by the department.

25

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

26

or payment of any fine levied against the eligible

27

organization.

28

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

29

member of the Pennsylvania State Police, including the Bureau of

30

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

- 22 -

 


1

sheriff.

2

* * *

3

"Licensed distributor."  A distributor of games of chance

4

licensed under section 304.

5

* * *

6

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

7

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

8

with the winner determined by random drawing to take place on

9

the licensed eligible organization's premises during an

10

operating month. A monthly drawing winner may be determined with

11

the aid of a passive selection device or reference to drawings

12

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

13

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

14

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

15

one chance per individual may be sold per drawing.

16

* * *

17

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

18

"Proceeds."  The difference between:

19

(1)  the gross revenue collected by a licensed eligible

20

organization from the conduct of a game of chance; and

21

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

22

eligible organization from a game of chance; and

23

(ii)  the purchase of games of chance.

24

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

25

(1)  Benefiting persons, other than members of the

26

eligible organization, by enhancing their opportunity for

27

religious or education advancement, by relieving or

28

protecting them from disease, suffering or distress, by

29

contributing to their physical, emotional or social well-

30

being, by assisting them in establishing themselves in life

- 23 -

 


1

as worthy and useful citizens or by increasing their

2

comprehension of and devotion to the principles upon which

3

this nation was founded.

4

(2)  Initiating, performing or fostering worthy public

5

works or enabling or furthering the erection or maintenance

6

of public structures.

7

(3)  Lessening the burdens borne by government or

8

voluntarily supporting, augmenting or supplementing services

9

which government would normally render to the people.

10

(4)  Improving, expanding, maintaining or repairing real

11

property owned or leased by an eligible organization and used

12

exclusively for purposes specified in [paragraphs] Paragraph 

13

(1), (2) [and] or (3).

14

The term does not include the erection or acquisition of any

15

real property, unless the property will be used exclusively for

16

one or more of the purposes specified in this definition.

17

* * *

18

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

19

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

20

random drawing of corresponding ticket stubs to take place at a

21

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

22

of chance shall include lotteries but not daily drawings, weekly

23

drawings or monthly drawings. Raffle winners may be determined

24

by reference to drawings conducted by the department pursuant to

25

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

26

Lottery Law.

27

* * *

28

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

29

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

30

containing a color, number or word and watches a spinning

- 24 -

 


1

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

2

of the wheel designating a winner.

3

* * *

4

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

5

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

6

prize with the winner determined by a random drawing to take

7

place on the licensed eligible organization's premises at the

8

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

9

construed to prohibit the carrying over of a jackpot where the

10

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

11

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

12

passive selection device or reference to drawings conducted by

13

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

14

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

15

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

16

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

17

read:

18

CHAPTER 3

19

GAMES OF CHANCE

20

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

21

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

22

Section [4] 301.  Games of chance permitted.

23

Every eligible organization to which a license has been

24

issued under the provisions of this act may conduct games of

25

chance for the purpose of raising funds for general operating

26

expenses and for public interest purposes. [All proceeds of

27

games of chance shall be used exclusively for public interest

28

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

29

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

30

organization shall be used as follows:

- 25 -

 


1

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

2

public interest purposes as permitted by this act.

3

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

4

operating expenses.

5

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

6

purchases or for the payment of any fine levied against the

7

eligible organization.

8

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

9

expended within the same calendar year unless the eligible

10

organization notifies the department that funds are being

11

retained for a substantial purchase or project. Notification

12

shall include a description of the purchase or project, the

13

cost and the anticipated date of the purchase or project.

14

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

15

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

16

renumbered and amended to read:

17

Section [5] 302.  Prize limits and reporting.

18

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

19

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

20

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

21

merchandise shall be awarded by any eligible organization in any

22

seven-day period.

23

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

24

merchandise shall be awarded in raffles in any calendar month.

25

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

26

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

27

only under the following conditions:

28

(1)  The licensing authority has issued a special permit

29

for the raffle under section 11.

30

(2)  Eligible organizations shall be eligible to receive

- 26 -

 


1

no more than two special permits in any licensed year except

2

that volunteer fire, ambulance and rescue organizations shall

3

be eligible to receive no more than three special permits in

4

any licensed year.

5

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

6

permit.

7

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

8

than $100,000 per calendar year.

9

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

10

governed by the prize limitations contained in subsections (a)

11

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

12

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

13

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

14

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

15

the following circumstances: a daily drawing may award a prize

16

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

17

result of a carryover of a drawing or drawings which resulted

18

from the winning number in such drawing or drawings not being

19

among the eligible entrants in such drawings. Nothing contained

20

herein shall authorize the prize limitations as contained in

21

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

22

to conduct a drawing on an operating day during which chances

23

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

24

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

25

chance was sold to an eligible participant.

26

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

27

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

28

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

29

generated from such drawing, the limitations contained in

30

subsection (b) shall not apply.

- 27 -

 


1

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

2

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

3

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

4

by a weekly drawing under the following circumstances: a weekly

5

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

6

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

7

or drawings which resulted from the winning number or numbers in

8

such drawing or drawings not being among the eligible entrants

9

in such drawings. Nothing contained in this act shall authorize

10

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

11

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

12

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

13

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

14

eligible organization shall not conduct weekly drawings during a

15

period when a daily drawing is taking place.]

16

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

17

the following limits shall apply to prizes awarded by a licensed

18

eligible organization:

19

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

20

single chance shall be $1,000.

21

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

22

any games of chance in any seven-day period.

23

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

24

drawing shall be awarded by a licensed eligible organization

25

in any calendar month.

26

(4)  The total amount of prizes awarded under paragraphs

27

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

28

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

29

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

30

raffles in any calendar month.

- 28 -

 


1

(2)  An eligible organization may conduct a raffle and

2

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

3

following apply:

4

(i)  The licensing authority has issued a special

5

permit for the raffle under section 308.

6

(ii)  A licensed eligible organization shall be

7

eligible to receive no more than three special permits in

8

any licensed term except that volunteer fire, ambulance

9

and rescue organizations shall be eligible to receive no

10

more than five special permits in any licensed term.

11

(iii)  Only one raffle may be conducted under each

12

special permit issued under section 308.

13

(iv)  The total cash value of all prizes awarded

14

under this subsection paragraph may be no more than

15

$100,000 per licensed term.

16

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

17

drawings:

18

(1)  A licensed eligible organization may not conduct

19

daily drawings during a period when a weekly or monthly

20

drawing is taking place.

21

(2)  The following shall apply:

22

(i)  Notwithstanding the prize limitation under

23

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

24

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

25

carryover of a drawing which resulted from the winning

26

number in the drawing not being among the eligible

27

entrants in the drawings.

28

(ii)  Nothing under this paragraph shall authorize

29

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

30

be exceeded:

- 29 -

 


1

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

2

drawing on an operating day during which chances were

3

sold for a daily drawing; or

4

(B)  for a daily drawing for which chances were

5

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

6

chance was sold to an eligible participant.

7

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

8

drawings:

9

(1)  A licensed eligible organization may not conduct

10

weekly drawings during a period when a daily or monthly

11

drawing is taking place.

12

(2)  The following shall apply:

13

(i)  Notwithstanding the prize limitation under

14

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

15

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

16

carryover of a drawing which resulted from the winning

17

number in the drawing not being among the eligible

18

entrants in the drawings.

19

(ii)  Nothing under this subsection shall authorize

20

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

21

exceeded:

22

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

23

drawing for a week during which chances were sold for

24

a weekly drawing; or

25

(B)  for a weekly drawing for which chances were

26

sold in excess of $1.

27

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

28

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

29

weekly drawing is taking place.

30

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

- 30 -

 


1

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

2

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

3

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

4

(3) shall not apply.

5

(g)  Reporting requirements.--Each licensed eligible

6

organization shall report to the department prizes awarded as

7

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

8

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

9

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

10

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

11

Section [6] 303.  Sales limited.

12

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

13

furnish games of chance for use within this Commonwealth except

14

to an eligible organization or [distributor] licensed

15

distributor under this act.

16

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

17

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

18

to a licensed eligible organization for use within this

19

Commonwealth shall contain, permit, depict or designate a prize

20

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

21

Section [7] 304.  Distributor licenses.

22

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

23

or furnish games of chance to eligible organizations licensed

24

under this act unless such person shall have obtained a

25

distributor license as provided in this section.

26

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

27

distributor license issued pursuant to this section shall

28

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

29

following:

30

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

- 31 -

 


1

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

2

(3)  The applicant's State employer withholding tax

3

number.

4

(4)  The applicant's unemployment compensation account

5

number.

6

(5)  A statement that:

7

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

8

State taxes paid;

9

(ii)  all State taxes are subject to a timely

10

administrative or judicial appeal; or

11

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

12

deferred payment plan.

13

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

14

officers, directors, partners and sales personnel.

15

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

16

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

17

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

18

it relates to the department, waive any confidentiality with

19

respect to State tax information in the possession of the

20

department, the Office of Attorney General or the Department of

21

Labor and Industry regarding that applicant, regardless of the

22

source of that information, and shall consent to the providing

23

of that information to the department by the Office of Attorney

24

General or the Department of Labor and Industry.

25

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

26

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

27

pursuant to this section, the department shall review the State

28

tax status of the applicant. The department shall request State

29

tax information regarding the applicant from the Office of

30

Attorney General or the Department of Labor and Industry and

- 32 -

 


1

that information shall be provided.

2

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

3

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

4

distributor license issued pursuant to this section where the

5

applicant has failed to:

6

(1)  provide any of the information required by

7

subsection (b);

8

(2)  file required State tax reports; or

9

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

10

administrative or judicial appeal or subject to a duly

11

authorized deferred payment plan.

12

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

13

such records, reports and books as the department shall

14

prescribe. [Applicants] Annually, each distributor licensee 

15

shall be required to make such records, reports and books

16

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

17

manner required by the department pursuant to regulation.

18

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

19

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

20

person, including any corporation, firm or partnership which has

21

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

22

management position, or employee eligible to make sales on

23

behalf of the distributor, who:

24

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

25

court within the past five years; or

26

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

27

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

28

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

29

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

30

Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (relating

- 33 -

 


1

to crimes and offenses) or other comparable State or Federal

2

law.

3

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

4

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

5

an annual basis.

6

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

7

this section shall not apply to the manufacture or distribution

8

of raffle tickets.

9

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

10

read:

11

Section [8] 305.  Registration of manufacturers.

12

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

13

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

14

manufacturer has registered with the department and has been

15

issued a certificate of registration.

16

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

17

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

18

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

19

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

20

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

21

manufacturer is also a licensed distributor.

22

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

23

manufacture or distribution of raffle tickets.

24

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

25

and books as prescribed by the department. Annually,

26

manufacturers shall be required to make the records, reports and

27

books available to the department and law enforcement officials

28

as requested or in a manner required by the department by

29

regulation.

30

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

- 34 -

 


1

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

2

Section [9] 306.  Regulations of department.

3

(a)  Authorization.--The department shall promulgate

4

regulations to:

5

(1)  Impose minimum standards and restrictions applicable

6

to games of chance manufactured for sale in this

7

Commonwealth, which may include standards and restrictions

8

which specify the maximum number of chances available to be

9

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

10

standards and restrictions as the department deems necessary

11

for the purposes of this act. The department shall consider

12

standards adopted by the National Association of Gambling

13

Regulatory Agencies and other standards commonly accepted in

14

the industry.

15

(2)  Establish procedures by which manufacturers may

16

register and distributors of games of chance may apply for

17

licensure on forms which the department shall provide. Forms

18

provided by the department shall include a requirement that

19

manufacturer and distributor applicants provide a criminal

20

history record information check obtained from the

21

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

22

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

23

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

24

managers and other persons responsible for overseeing games

25

of chance.

26

(3)  Provide for the suspension or revocation of

27

distribution licenses or manufacturer certificates for

28

violations of this act or regulations of the department.

29

(4)  Carry out other provisions of this act.

30

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

- 35 -

 


1

shall not be construed to authorize the department to promulgate

2

regulations providing for recordkeeping requirements for

3

licensed eligible organizations which require unreasonable or

4

unnecessary information or a repetitious listing of information.

5

The department shall strive to keep such recordkeeping

6

requirements from being an undue hardship or burden on licensed 

7

eligible organizations. Under no circumstances shall the

8

department require the retention of records for a period in

9

excess of two years.

10

(c)  Report.--

11

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

12

this act and any rules or regulations promulgated under this

13

act and submit a report to the General Assembly with its

14

recommendations. The recommendations for legislative action

15

may include:

16

(i)  Improvements to the enforcement provisions.

17

(ii)  Additional types of games of chance authorized.

18

(iii)  Changes in the prize limitations for games of

19

chance.

20

(2)  The department shall consult with law enforcement

21

officials in formulating its recommendations.

22

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

23

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

24

renumbered and amended to read:

25

Section [10] 307.  Licensing of eligible organizations to

26

conduct games of chance.

27

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

28

conduct or operate any games of chance unless such eligible

29

organization has obtained and maintains a valid license or

30

limited occasion license issued pursuant to this section.

- 36 -

 


1

Auxiliary groups within eligible organizations shall be eligible

2

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

3

eligible organization provided that the auxiliary group or

4

groups are listed on the application and license of the eligible

5

organization. No additional licensing fee shall be charged for

6

an auxiliary group's eligibility under this act. Auxiliary

7

groups shall not include branches, lodges or chapters of a

8

Statewide organization.

9

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

10

license, upon application, within 30 days any eligible

11

organization meeting the requirements for licensure contained in

12

this act to conduct and operate games of chance at such

13

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

14

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

15

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

16

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

17

Licenses shall be renewable annually upon the anniversary of the

18

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

19

authority for the administration of this act.

20

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

21

(1)  Every licensed eligible organization, except a

22

limited occasion licensee, shall conduct small games of

23

chance only at a licensed premises. The licensed premises

24

shall be indicated on the eligible organization's license

25

application. Only one license shall be issued per licensed

26

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

27

licensed eligible organization may not use another licensed

28

eligible organization's premises to conduct its games of

29

chance, and no licensed eligible organization may permit its

30

premises to be used for small games of chance by another

- 37 -

 


1

licensed eligible organization.

2

(i)  Where there exists a location or premises which

3

is the normal business or operating site of the eligible

4

organization and the location or premises is owned or

5

leased by that eligible organization to conduct its

6

normal business, that site shall be the eligible

7

organization's licensed premises for small games of

8

chance conducted by the eligible organization. If that

9

location consists of more than one building [and the

10

eligible organization wishes to conduct its games in a

11

different building at that location from the one that is

12

listed on its application and license, the eligible

13

organization must notify, in writing, the district

14

attorney and the licensing authority of the change in

15

building site and the dates and times that will be

16

affected], the eligible organization shall designate on

17

its application the building that will be the licensed

18

premises.

19

(ii)  When an eligible organization does not own or

20

lease a specific location to conduct its normal business,

21

[that] the eligible organization [may use another

22

eligible organization's premises to conduct its games or]

23

may make [such other] arrangements that are consistent

24

with this act to establish a licensed premises,

25

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

26

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

27

that the rental may not be determined by either the

28

amount of receipts realized from the [playing] conduct of

29

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

30

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

- 38 -

 


1

facility for a banquet [where a per head charge is

2

applied] in connection with the serving of a meal based

3

on a per-head charge. When such eligible organization

4

changes the site of its games from that which is listed

5

on its application and license, the eligible organization

6

must notify, in writing, the district attorney and

7

licensing authority of the change in their games' site

8

[and dates and times that will be affected].

9

(iii)  An eligible organization that has obtained a

10

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

11

another eligible organization's licensed premises to

12

conduct its games of chance. When a licensed eligible

13

organization is permitting a limited occasion licensee to

14

use its licensed premises for purposes of small games of

15

chance, the eligible organization shall cease the

16

operation of its own small games of chance during the

17

period that the limited occasion licensee is conducting

18

its games on the premises.

19

(2)  Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, all

20

aspects of the operation of games of chance shall be

21

conducted on the licensed 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, on one

26

occasion during a license term, conduct small games of chance

27

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

28

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

29

banquet held or participated in by that licensed eligible

30

organization on a historical basis. The licensed eligible

- 39 -

 


1

organization must notify, in writing, the district attorney

2

and licensing authority of the location, date and times of

3

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

4

games of chance.

5

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

6

in a municipality which has adopted the provisions of this

7

act by an affirmative vote in a municipal referendum. A

8

licensed eligible organization which plans to sell raffle

9

tickets in a municipality located in a county other than the

10

county in which the eligible organization is licensed shall

11

notify that county's district attorney and licensing

12

authority as to the location and the dates that the eligible

13

organization plans to sell raffle tickets.

14

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

15

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

16

specific location to conduct their normal business may apply for

17

a limited occasion license to conduct small games of chance on

18

not more than three occasions covering a total of seven days

19

during a licensed year. A limited occasion license entitles

20

eligible organizations holding such a license to conduct no more

21

than two raffles during a licensed year where prizes may not

22

exceed the established limits for regular monthly raffles.

23

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

24

or be granted any other license or special permit under this

25

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

26

act shall apply or be granted a limited occasion 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

- 40 -

 


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

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

26

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

27

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

28

individual is operating.

29

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

30

games of chance on any premises other than on the licensed

- 41 -

 


1

premises or as otherwise provided by this act.

2

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

3

Leasing the licensed premises under either an oral or a

4

written agreement for a rental which is determined by either

5

the amount of receipts realized from the playing of games of

6

chance or the number of people attending, except that an

7

eligible organization may lease a facility for a banquet

8

where a per head charge is applied in connection with the

9

serving of a meal. An eligible organization shall not lease

10

such premises from any person who has been convicted of a

11

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

12

years.

13

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

14

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

15

purchased only from manufacturers and distributors] and

16

monthly drawings from any person other than a licensed

17

distributor approved by the department.

18

[(7)  No licensed eligible organization shall permit its

19

premises to be used for small games of chance by another

20

licensed eligible organization at the same time that it is

21

conducting small games of chance on the premises. When a

22

licensed eligible organization is permitting another licensed

23

eligible organization to use its premises for purposes of

24

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

25

small games of chance during the period that the other

26

licensed eligible organization is conducting its games on the

27

premises.

28

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

29

in any municipality in this Commonwealth which has adopted

30

the provisions of this act by an affirmative vote in a

- 42 -

 


1

municipal referendum. A licensed eligible organization which

2

plans to sell raffle tickets in a municipality located in a

3

county other than the county in which the eligible

4

organization is licensed must notify that county's district

5

attorney and licensing authority as to the location and the

6

dates that the eligible organization plans to sell raffle

7

tickets.]

8

(7)  Operating games of chance on a licensed premises

9

when another eligible organization is operating games of

10

chance.

11

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

12

organization shall establish and maintain a bank account to hold

13

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

14

from all other bank accounts belonging to the licensed eligible

15

organization. Account records shall show all expenditures and

16

income and shall be retained by the licensed eligible

17

organization for at least two years.

18

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

19

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

20

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

21

contain an annual report filed by the eligible organization and 

22

an affidavit to be affirmed by the executive officer or

23

secretary of the eligible organization stating that:

24

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

25

the eligible organization to operate or play games of chance.

26

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

27

played has adequate means of ingress and egress and adequate

28

sanitary facilities available in the area.

29

(3)  The eligible organization is not leasing such

30

premises from the owner thereof under an oral agreement, nor

- 43 -

 


1

is it leasing such premises from the owner thereof under a

2

written agreement at a rental which is determined by the

3

amount of receipts realized from the playing of games of

4

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

5

eligible organization may lease a facility for a banquet

6

where a per head charge is applied in connection with the

7

serving of a meal.

8

(4)  The eligible organization has a separate bank

9

account to hold all proceeds of small games of chance.

10

(5)  The eligible organization has complied with the

11

annual financial report filing.

12

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

13

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

14

eligible organization shall file an annual report with the

15

licensing authority. The first annual report required under this

16

paragraph shall contain information for the 12-month period

17

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

18

submission of the application. Subsequent annual reports shall

19

contain information for the most recent 12-month period ending

20

in the same month as the initial report.

21

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

22

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

23

Department of Revenue.

24

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

25

include with any license or renewal license issued to an

26

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

27

municipalities within the licensing county which have approved

28

the referendum question on small games of chance.

29

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

30

include the results of a criminal history record information

- 44 -

 


1

check obtained from the Pennsylvania State Police, as defined in

2

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

3

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

4

executive officer or secretary of the eligible organization

5

making the application for a license and all other responsible

6

persons listed on the application.

7

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

8

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

9

Section [11] 308.  Special permits.

10

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

11

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

12

eligible organization proposes to award individual prizes having

13

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

14

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

15

issuance of special permits under this section.

16

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

17

shall specify the location where the actual drawing will be

18

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

19

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

20

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

21

CHAPTER 5

22

CLUB LICENSEES

23

Section 501.  Report.

24

The following shall apply:

25

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

26

thereafter, each club licensee shall submit an annual report

27

to the Pennsylvania State Police for the preceding calendar

28

year on a form prescribed by the Pennsylvania State Police.

29

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

30

of an authorized officer of the club licensee.

- 45 -

 


1

(3)  The report must include all of the following

2

information for the prior calendar year:

3

(i)  The proceeds received by the club licensee from

4

each game of chance conducted, itemized by week.

5

(ii)  The distribution of proceeds under section

6

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

7

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

8

not purchased from a licensed distributor which the club

9

licensee conducted, itemized by week.

10

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

11

and itemized costs related to the conduct of games of

12

chance.

13

(v)  The amounts distributed for public interest

14

purposes itemized by the recipient.

15

(vi)  An itemized list of expenditures made or

16

amounts retained for general operating expenses.

17

(vii)  The address and county in which the club

18

licensee is located.

19

(viii)  Other information or documentation required

20

by the Pennsylvania State Police.

21

Section 502.  Proceeds.

22

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

23

received by a club licensee shall be distributed as follows:

24

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

25

organizations other than the club licensee for public

26

interest purposes.

27

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

28

operating expenses.

29

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

30

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

- 46 -

 


1

against the club licensee.

2

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

3

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

4

within the same calendar year unless the club licensee notifies

5

the department that funds are being retained for a substantial

6

purchase or project. Notification shall include a description of

7

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

8

the purchase or project.

9

Section 503.  Documentation.

10

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

11

club licensee shall be documented by an invoice listing the

12

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

13

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

14

chance as required by the Pennsylvania State Police. Failure to

15

provide correct invoices shall result in a penalty under section

16

706.

17

Section 504.  Restriction.

18

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

19

drawings, weekly drawings, monthly drawings, raffles and pull

20

tabs shall be purchased from a licensed distributor approved by

21

the department.

22

Section 505.  Failure to comply.

23

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

24

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

25

failing to provide their books, accounts and records relating to

26

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

27

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

28

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

29

chapter by the required dates or fail to comply with sections

30

502 and 503 to the applicable licensing authority, district

- 47 -

 


1

attorney and the department.

2

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

3

to read:

4

CHAPTER 7

5

ENFORCEMENT

6

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

7

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

8

Section [12] 701.  Revocation of licenses.

9

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

10

refuse to renew the license of any eligible organization

11

whenever the district attorney finds upon complaint and

12

investigation that] following shall be grounds for the

13

suspension, revocation or nonrenewal of a license:

14

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

15

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

16

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

17

those purposes permitted by this act.

18

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

19

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

20

(3)  The eligible organization has permitted any person

21

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

22

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

23

Federal or State court within the past ten years of a

24

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

25

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

26

supervise or participate in the operation of games of chance.

27

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

28

does not have adequate means of ingress and egress and does

29

not have adequate sanitary facilities available in the area.

30

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

- 48 -

 


1

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

2

organization have been involved in managing, setting up,

3

operating or running games of chance.

4

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

5

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

6

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

7

(6)  Any person has received compensation for conducting

8

games of chance.

9

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

10

permitted under this act.

11

(8)  The eligible organization has violated any condition

12

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

13

(9)  The eligible organization conducts the games of

14

chance under a lease which calls for:

15

(i)  leasing such premises from the owner thereof

16

under an oral agreement; or

17

(ii)  leasing such premises from the owner thereof

18

under a written agreement at a rental which is determined

19

by the amount of receipts realized from the playing of

20

games of chance.

21

(10)  False or erroneous information was provided in the

22

original application or in any information provided to the

23

licensing authority, the department or the Pennsylvania State

24

Police in any application, renewal form or report.

25

(11)  An eligible organization has been convicted of a

26

violation of this act as evidenced by a certified record of

27

the conviction.

28

(12)  The eligible organization has permitted another

29

eligible organization to conduct small games of chance on its

30

licensed premises without suspending its own operation of

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1

small games of chance during the period that the other

2

licensed eligible organization is conducting its games on the

3

premises.

4

(13)  The eligible organization has failed to keep and

5

maintain the records required under this act for a period of

6

at least two years.

7

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

8

report under section 501.

9

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

10

501 or 502.

11

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

12

require [licensees] licensed eligible organizations, registered

13

manufacturers and licensed distributors to produce their books,

14

accounts and records relating to the conduct of games of chance

15

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

16

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

17

Licensees shall also be required upon request to [produce]

18

provide their license, books, accounts and records relating to

19

the conduct of games of chance to other law enforcement

20

officials [upon proper request].

21

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

22

Section [13] 702.  Enforcement.

23

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

24

investigate alleged violations of this act. If the district

25

attorney finds probable cause to believe that a violation has

26

occurred, he may file a complaint against the alleged violator

27

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

28

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

29

municipal court. In addition, the district attorney shall

30

prosecute said complaint in the manner provided by law.

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1

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

2

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

3

local law enforcement officials to conduct investigations and

4

enforce the provisions of this act.

5

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

6

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

7

renumbered and amended to read:

8

Section [14] 703.  Local option.

9

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

10

may be held on the date of the primary election immediately

11

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

12

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

13

issuance of licenses within the limits of such municipality

14

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

15

been held at the primary election preceding a municipal election

16

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

17

of this act at the primary election occurring the fourth year

18

after such prior election. Whenever electors equal to at least

19

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

20

at the last preceding general election shall file a petition

21

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

22

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

23

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

24

the resolution is filed with the board of elections of the

25

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

26

the county board of elections shall cause a question to be

27

placed on the ballot or on the voting machine board and

28

submitted at the primary election immediately preceding the

29

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

30

Do you favor the issuance of licenses

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1

to conduct small games of chance in the

2

                 of                  ?

3

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

4

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

5

licensing authority in such municipality, but if a majority of

6

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

7

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

8

upon their expiration, any licenses in such municipality, unless

9

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

10

electors vote "yes" on such question.

11

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

12

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

13

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

14

Code.

15

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

16

organizations located in municipalities which have adopted the

17

provisions of this act by an affirmative vote in a municipal

18

referendum in accordance with the provisions of this section.

19

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

20

contained in this section shall also be available to withdraw

21

the approval of the issuance of such licenses within such

22

municipality which was granted through a prior referendum.

23

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

24

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

25

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

26

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

27

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

28

the question, in accordance with the procedures set forth in

29

this section, at the general election immediately following [the

30

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

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1

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

2

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

3

Section [15] 704.  Advertising.

4

[It shall be unlawful for any eligible organization or person

5

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

6

games of chance, provided that prizes may be identified on

7

raffle tickets. Notwithstanding the prohibition of advertising

8

contained within this section, an eligible organization may

9

advertise prizes and values thereof in periodic publications

10

which are limited in their circulation to members of the

11

eligible organization.] Any licensed eligible organization or

12

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

13

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

14

prizes that will be awarded and the name of the licensed

15

eligible organization. Advertisements to the public may be no

16

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

17

may advertise prizes in periodic publications which are limited

18

in their circulation to members of the eligible organization.

19

This section shall not apply to a sign displayed inside the

20

licensed premises.

21

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

22

to read:

23

Section [16] 705.  Certain persons prohibited.

24

No licensed distributor nor any person who has been convicted

25

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

26

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

27

any comparable State or Federal law shall have a pecuniary

28

interest in the operation or proceeds of games of chance.

29

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

30

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

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1

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

2

(a)  Eligible organizations.--Any eligible organization

3

violating the provisions of this act shall be guilty of a

4

summary offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced

5

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

6

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

7

violation. In addition, the following shall apply:

8

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

9

forfeit the license to conduct games of chance issued to the

10

eligible organization for [the remainder of the licensing

11

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

12

not more than 30 days.

13

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

14

first offense, the eligible organization shall forfeit [the]

15

its license [issued to the eligible organization for the

16

remainder of the current licensing period and be ineligible

17

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

18

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

19

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

20

years of the most recent offense, the eligible organization

21

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

22

organization] and be ineligible for a license renewal for 30

23

months thereafter.

24

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

25

conducting of games of chance in violation of the provisions of

26

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

27

second violation of this act shall be punishable as a

28

misdemeanor of the third degree. A third or subsequent violation

29

shall be punishable as a misdemeanor of the first degree.

30

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

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1

distributes games of chance without a license or in violation of

2

any provision of this act or applicable regulations, and any

3

manufacturer of games of chance who delivers games of chance for

4

sale or distribution in this Commonwealth who fails to register

5

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

6

first degree, provided that no license or permit shall be

7

required for the manufacture or distribution of raffle tickets.

8

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

9

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

10

conducted in accordance with the requirements of this act or the

11

rules and usages governing the game of chance, he:

12

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

13

upon or threatens any injury to a participant or other person

14

associated with the game of chance;

15

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

16

chance;

17

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

18

of chance; or

19

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

20

benefit.

21

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

22

manufactures or operates a small game of chance and who

23

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

24

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

25

of chance commits a misdemeanor of the first degree.

26

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

27

to read:

28

CHAPTER 31

29

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

30

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

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1

Section [18] 3101.  Effective date.

2

This act shall take effect in 60 days.

3

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

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