Small Games of Chance Legislation Passes State House

The state House this week passed a bill that will help local volunteer organizations earn more revenue from small games of chance—legislation lauded.

“Some of these outfits have been having a hard time making ends meet and this bill makes some common-sense changes to help them raise more money for the good work they do,” Solobay, D-Canonsburg, a longtime volunteer fireman, said.

The House this week concurred on the Senate version of House Bill 169. The provisions were largely the same as Solobay’s Senate Bill 169—the latest edition of an effort that dates back to 2007.  

The bill now goes to the governor’s desk.

“We’ve been trying to get this done for a long time,” he said. “Anytime you allow more money to move around you have to make sure that the right controls are in place.”

The bill will increase the prize limits for local small games of chance and tighten regulations on small games licensees.

Changes in prize limits would include:
• Single chance from $500 to $1,000
• Weekly limit for an organization from $5,000 to $25,000
• Raffle prizes from $5,000 to $10,000 per month

New controls under the bill include:
• Prize winnings must be reported to IRS and state Department of Revenue
• All records kept for two years
• Licensees must keep separate bank account for games of chance revenue
• Annual financial report required;
• Four hours per year of games-of-chance training.

For more information, click here.