PRINTER'S NO. 3897
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2584
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY DUSH, CONKLIN, DeLUCA, JAMES, LONGIETTI, MILLARD,
PICKETT AND ROTHMAN, AUGUST 7, 2018
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GAMING OVERSIGHT, AUGUST 7, 2018
AN ACT
Amending the act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262, No.156),
entitled "An act providing for the licensing of eligible
organizations to conduct games of chance, for the licensing
of persons to distribute games of chance, for the
registration of manufacturers of games of chance, and for
suspensions and revocations of licenses and permits;
requiring records; providing for local referendum by
electorate; and prescribing penalties," in preliminary
provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in games
of chance, further providing for distributor licenses and for
registration of manufacturers and providing for poker run
permits.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The definition of "games of chance" in section
103 of the act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262, No.156), known as
the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act, is amended and the
section is amended by adding definitions to read:
Section 103. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall,
except as provided under section 902, have the meanings given to
them in this section unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise:
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* * *
"Dice run." A game operated by a licensed eligible
organization in which a participant purchases a scorecard to
participate in a game within a county where all of the following
occurs:
(1) The participant meets at a designated location to
receive instructions for the game.
(2) Each participant receives a detailed explanation of
the game destinations, rules for the game and a score card to
be completed as the participant progresses to each location
within the county.
(3) At each designated location on the run route, the
participant rolls two or more dice and the total value of the
dice is recorded on the participant's score card.
(4) A prize or prizes is awarded to one or more
participants according to the information provided to
participants under paragraph (2), which is determined at the
final location on the run route.
For purposes of this act, the term is not a "table game" as
defined in 4 Pa.C.S. ยง 1103 (relating to definitions).
* * *
"Games of chance." Punchboards, daily drawings, weekly
drawings, 50/50 drawings, raffles, tavern games, pools, race
night games, poker runs and pull-tabs, as defined in this act,
provided that no such game shall be played by or with the
assistance of any mechanical or electrical devices or media
other than a dispensing machine or passive selection device and
further provided that the particular chance taken by any person
in any such game shall not be made contingent upon any other
occurrence or the winning of any other contest, but shall be
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determined solely at the discretion of the purchaser. This
definition shall not be construed to authorize any other form of
gambling currently prohibited under any provision of 18 Pa.C.S.
(relating to crimes and offenses) or authorized under 4 Pa.C.S.
(relating to amusements). Nothing in this act shall be construed
to authorize games commonly known as "slot machines" or "video
poker" or other games regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming
Control Board.
* * *
"Poker run." A game operated by a licensed eligible
organization in which a participant purchases a scorecard to
participate in a game within a county where all of the following
occurs:
(1) The participant meets at a designated location to
receive instructions for the game.
(2) Each participant receives a detailed explanation of
the game destinations, rules of the game and a score card to
be completed as the participant progresses to each location
within the county.
(3) At each designated location on the run route, the
participant draws or is dealt a playing card at random and
the card which is drawn or dealt is recorded on the
participant's score card.
(4) The participant or participants who have obtained
the highest hand or hands, according to the information
provided to participants under paragraph (2), win a prize or
prizes, which are determined at the final location on the run
route.
For purposes of this act, the term is not a "table game" as
defined in 4 Pa.C.S. ยง 1103 (relating to definitions). The term
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includes a "dice run."
* * *
Section 2. Sections 304(i) and 305(d) of the act are amended
to read:
Section 304. Distributor licenses.
* * *
(i) Exception.--This section shall not apply to the
manufacture or distribution of raffle tickets, 50/50 drawings,
daily drawings, weekly drawings, poker runs or pools.
Section 305. Registration of manufacturers.
* * *
(d) Exception.--This section shall not apply to the
manufacture or distribution of raffle tickets, 50/50 drawings,
daily drawings, weekly drawings, poker runs or pools.
Section 3. The act is amended by adding a section to read:
Section 309. Poker run permits.
(a) Special permit required.--A licensed eligible
organization may operate a poker run for no more than one day
upon issuance of a poker run permit from the licensing
authority.
(b) Permit application.--Each poker run permit application
shall be submitted on a form and in a manner as required by the
licensing authority. Each application shall include:
(1) The poker run locations of operation.
(2) The date and hours of operation of the poker run.
(3) The price per chance.
(4) The prizes to be awarded.
(5) Any other information required by the licensing
authority.
(c) Issuance and fee.--A licensed eligible organization who
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proposes to offer a poker run at locations permitted under
subsection (d) and whose license is valid and in good standing
shall be considered suitable for issuance of a poker run permit.
The licensing authority may establish and collect a fee not to
exceed $25 for the issuance of a poker run permit under this
section. A licensing authority shall issue no more than four
poker run permits to a single licensed eligible organization in
any calendar year.
(d) Locations.--A poker run may only be operated at
locations within the county in which the eligible organization
has been issued a poker run permit under this section and a
license under section 307 by the licensing authority, provided
that the locations are not prohibited by local ordinance. A club
licensee issued a poker run permit under this section may
operate a poker run at its own licensed premises, locations
outside its licensed premises not prohibited by local ordinance
or at the licensed premises of another club licensee.
(e) Concurrent operation.--The following shall apply to the
concurrent operation of a poker run with other games of chance
operated by a licensed eligible organization holding a poker run
permit:
(1) Except at the licensed premises of a club licensee,
the licensed eligible organization that is not a club
licensee may operate other games of chance at any location
where the poker run is operated.
(2) A club licensee operating a poker run may
concurrently operate other games of chance at its licensed
premises. A club licensee may not operate a game of chance,
other than a poker run, outside its licensed premises during
the operation of a poker run.
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(f) Applicability.--Section 307(b.2) shall not apply to a
poker run or other games of chance operated at poker run
locations by a licensed eligible organization issued a poker run
permit under this section.
Section 4. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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