LOCAL OPTION SMALL GAMES OF CHANCE ACT - OMNIBUS AMENDMENTS
Act of Feb. 2, 2012, P.L. 7, No. 2
Cl. 04
Session of 2012
No. 2012-2
HB 169
AN ACT
Amending the act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262, No.156), entitled, as amended, "An act providing for the licensing of eligible organizations to conduct games of chance, for
the licensing of persons to distribute games of chance, for the registration of of games of chance, and for suspensions and revocations of licenses and permits; requiring records; providing for local referendum by electorate; and prescribing penalties," further providing
for legislative intent, for definitions, for games of chance permitted, for prize limits, for limits on sales, for distributor licenses, for regulations, for licensing of eligible organizations and for special permits; providing for club licensees; further providing for revocation of licenses, for enforcement, for local option, for advertising and for prohibited persons; providing for civil penalties; further providing for penalties; and making
editorial changes.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262,
No.156), known as the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act, is amended by adding a chapter heading to read:
CHAPTER 1
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
Section 2. Section 1 of the act is renumbered to read:
Section [1] 101. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act.
Section 2.1. Section 2 of the act is renumbered and amended to read:
Section [2] 102. Legislative intent. The General Assembly hereby declares that the playing of [small] games of chance for the purpose of raising funds, by certain nonprofit associations, for the promotion of charitable or civic purposes, is in the public interest. In some cases, the proceeds from games of chance may be utilized to support certain operating expenses of certain organizations. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the General Assembly that all phases of licensing, operation and regulation of [small] games of chance be strictly controlled, and that all laws and regulations with respect thereto as well as all gambling laws should be strictly construed and rigidly enforced. The General Assembly recognizes the possibility of association between commercial gambling and organized crime, and wishes to discourage commercialization of [small] games of chance, prevent participation by organized crime and prevent the diversion of funds from the purposes herein authorized.
Section 3. The definitions of "civic and service associations," "club," "daily drawing," "eligible organizations," "fraternal organizations," "games of chance,"
"public interest purposes," "raffle" and "weekly drawing" in section 3 of the act, amended December 19, 1990 (P.L.812, No.195) and October 18, 2000 (P.L.602, No.79), are amended and the section is renumbered and amended by adding definitions to read:
Section [3] 103. Definitions. The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
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"Civic and service [associations] association." Any Statewide or branch, lodge or chapter of a nonprofit national or State organization which is authorized by its written
constitution, charter, articles of incorporation or bylaws to engage in a civic or service purpose within this Commonwealth, which shall have existed in this Commonwealth for one year. The term also means a similar local nonprofit organization, not affiliated with a national or State organization, which is recognized by a resolution adopted by the governing body of the municipality in which the organization conducts its principal activities. The term shall include[, but not be limited to,] Statewide or local bona fide sportsmen's and wildlife associations, federations or clubs, [Statewide or local in nature,] volunteer fire companies, volunteer rescue squads and volunteer ambulance associations and [bona fide] senior citizens organizations. In the case of bona fide senior citizens organizations, the licensing authority may accept alternative documentation for proof of purposes when there are no bylaws or articles of incorporation in existence. The term
shall also include nonprofit organizations which are established to promote and encourage participation and support for extracurricular activities within the established primary and secondary public, private and parochial school systems. Such organizations must be recognized by a resolution adopted by the appropriate governing body. In the case of organizations associated with the public school system, the governing body shall be the school board of the school district. In the case of private or parochial school
organizations, that body shall be either the board of trustees or the Archdiocese.
"Club." [A club, as defined in section 102]An organization
that:
(1) is licensed to sell liquor under section 404 of the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code[, that]; and (2) qualifies as an exempt organization under section 501(c) or 527 of the Internal Revenue Code of [1954 (68A Stat. 3] 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 501(c) or 527) [and is licensed to sell liquor at retail and has a
charitable, religious or civic purpose or is organized to benefit a political party].
"Club licensee." A club that holds a license to conduct small games of chance.
"Daily drawing." A game of chance in which a bona fide member selects or is assigned a number for a chance at a prize with the winner determined by [a] random drawing to take place on the licensed eligible organization's licensed premises during the same operating day. The term includes games of chance commonly known as "member sign-in lotteries" and "half-and-half lotteries." [Nothing in this act shall be construed to prohibit the carrying over of a jackpot where the winning number has not been entered in the game on a particular operating day.] Daily drawing winners may be determined with the aid of a passive selection device or reference to drawings conducted by the department pursuant to the act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351, No.91), known as the State Lottery Law. Daily
drawing chances may not be sold for an amount in excess of $1, and no more than one chance per individual may be sold [to an individual during the same operating day] per drawing. Nothing in this definition shall restrict an eligible organization from conducting more than one drawing per day.
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"Eligible [organizations." Includes qualifying nonprofit charitable, religious, fraternal and veterans organizations, clubs and civic and service associations as defined by this
act] organization." A charitable, religious, fraternal or veterans' organization, club, club licensee or civic and service association. In order to qualify as an eligible organization for purposes of this act, an organization shall have been in existence and fulfilling its purposes for one year prior to the date of application for a license. "Fraternal [organizations] organization." A nonprofit organization within this Commonwealth which is created and carried on for the mutual benefit of its members, has a limited membership and a representative form of government and is a branch, lodge or chapter of a national or State organization. Such organizations shall have been in existence in this Commonwealth and fulfilling their purposes for one year prior to the date of application for a license. "Games of chance." Punchboards, daily drawings, weekly drawings, raffles 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 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 Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (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."
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"Licensed distributor." A distributor of games of chance licensed under section 307.
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"Prize." Cash or merchandise awarded for games of chance.
"Proceeds." The difference between:
(1) the actual gross revenue collected by a licensed eligible organization from a game of chance; and
(2) the actual amount of prizes paid by a licensed eligible organization from a game of chance, plus the cost to purchase games of chance.
"Public interest [purposes] purpose." One or more of the
following:
(1) [Benefiting persons by enhancing their opportunity for religious or education advancement, by relieving or protecting them from disease, suffering or distress, by
contributing to their physical, emotional or social well-being, by assisting them in establishing themselves in life as worthy and useful citizens or by increasing their
comprehension of and devotion to the principles upon which this nation was founded.] The activities and operations of a nonprofit benevolent, religious, educational,
philanthropic, humane, scientific, patriotic, social welfare, social advocacy, public health, public safety, emergency response, environmental or civic objective.
(2) Initiating, performing or fostering worthy public works or enabling or furthering the erection or maintenance of public structures.
(3) Lessening the burdens borne by government or voluntarily supporting, augmenting or supplementing services which government would normally render to the people.
(4) Improving, expanding, maintaining or repairing real property owned or leased by an eligible organization and relating operational expenses used for purposes
specified in paragraphs (1), (2) and (3). The term does not include the erection or acquisition of any real property, unless the property will be used exclusively for one or more of the purposes specified in this definition.
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"Raffle." A game of chance in which a participant buys a ticket for a chance at a prize with the winner determined by a random drawing of corresponding ticket stubs to take place at
a location and date or dates printed upon each ticket. Such games of chance shall include lotteries but not daily drawings. Raffle winners may be determined by reference to
drawings conducted by the department pursuant to the act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351, No.91), known as the State Lottery Law.
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"Weekly drawing." A game of chance in which a bona fide member selects or receives a number or numbers for a chance at a prize with the winner determined by a random drawing to take place on the licensed eligible organization's licensed premises at the end of a seven-day period. [Nothing in this act shall be construed to prohibit the carrying over of a jackpot where the winning number has not been entered in the game in a particular week.] Weekly drawing winners may be determined with the aid of a passive selection device or reference to drawings conducted by the Department of Revenue pursuant to the act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351, No.91), known as the State Lottery Law. Weekly drawing chances may not be sold for an amount in excess of $1. Section 4. The act is amended by adding a chapter heading to read:
CHAPTER 3
GAMES OF CHANCE
Section 5. Section 4 of the act, amended December 19, 1990 (P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered and amended to read:
Section [4] 301. Games of chance permitted. Every eligible organization to which a license has been issued under the provisions of this [act] chapter may conduct games of chance for the purpose of raising funds for public interest purposes. [All] Except as provided in Chapter 5, all proceeds of [games of chance] a licensed eligible organization shall be used exclusively for public interest purposes or for the purchase of games of chance as permitted by this act.
Section 6. Section 5 of the act, amended December 19, 1990
(P.L.812, No.195) and October 18, 2000 (P.L.602, No.79), is renumbered and amended to read:
Section [5] 302. Prize limits.
(a) Individual prize limit.--[The] Except as provided under subsections (d) and (d.1), the maximum [cash value] prize which may be awarded for any single chance shall be
[$500] $1,000. (b) [Weekly] Aggregate prize limit.--No more than [$5,000] $25,000 in [cash or merchandise] prizes shall be awarded from games of chance by [any] a licensed eligible organization in any seven-day period. (c) [Limit on raffles] Raffle prize limit.--[No more than $5,000 in cash or merchandise shall] Up to $10,000 in prizes may be awarded in raffles in any calendar month.
(c.1) Total limit.--All prizes awarded under this section shall be subject to the aggregate prize limits under subsection (b). (d) Exception for raffles.--[An] Notwithstanding
subsection (b) or (c), a licensed eligible organization may conduct a raffle and award a prize or prizes valued in excess of [$500] $1,000 each only under the following conditions:
(1) The licensing authority has issued a special permit for the raffle under section [11] 308.
(2) [Eligible organizations] A licensed eligible organization shall be eligible to receive no more than [two] eight special permits in any licensed [year] term except that a volunteer fire, ambulance [and] or rescue [organizations] organization that is not a club licensee
shall be eligible to receive [no more than three] ten special permits in any licensed [year] term. (3) Only one raffle may be conducted under each special permit issued under section 308. (4) [The] Except as provided under subsection (d.1), the total [cash value] of all prizes awarded under this subsection shall be no more than $100,000 per calendar year.
(d.1) Additional award.--A volunteer fire, ambulance or rescue organization may, in addition to the total under subsection (d)(4), award up to $50,000 from raffles which
shall not be subject to the aggregate limit under subsection (b), (c) or (d). [(e) Limit on daily drawings.--Daily drawings shall be governed by the prize limitations contained in subsections (a) and (b). An eligible organization shall not conduct daily drawings during a period when a weekly drawing is taking place.] (f) [Exception] Daily drawing carryover.--The prize limitation contained in subsections (a) and (b) may be exceeded by a daily drawing under the following circumstances: a daily drawing may award a prize [where the cash value is] in excess of [$500] $1,000 if such prize is the result of a carryover of a drawing [or drawings] which resulted from the winning number in such drawing [or drawings] not being among the eligible entrants in such drawings. Nothing contained
herein shall authorize the prize [limitations] limitation as contained in subsections (a) and (b) to be exceeded as a result of a failure to conduct a drawing on an operating day
during which chances were sold for a daily drawing or for a daily drawing for which chances were sold in excess of $1 or for which more than one chance was sold to an eligible participant. (g) [Daily drawing and weekly drawing] Additional exception.--When a daily drawing or weekly drawing is set up or conducted in such a manner as to pay out or award 100% of the gross revenues generated from such drawing, the [limitations] limitation contained in subsection (b) shall not apply. (h) [Limit on weekly drawings] Weekly drawing carryover exception.--Weekly drawings shall be governed by the prize [limitations] limitation contained in subsection (b). The prize limitation contained in subsection (b) may be exceeded by a weekly drawing under the following circumstances: a weekly drawing may award a prize where the cash value is in excess of [$5,000] $25,000 if such prize is the result of a carryover of a drawing or drawings which resulted from the winning number or numbers in such drawing or drawings not being among the eligible entrants in such drawings. Nothing contained in this [act] chapter shall authorize the prize [limitations as contained in] limitation under subsection (b) to be exceeded as a result of a failure to conduct a drawing for a week during which chances were sold for a weekly drawing
or for a weekly drawing for which chances were sold in excess of $1. [An eligible organization shall not conduct weekly drawings during a period when a daily drawing is taking place.]
Section 7. Sections 6 and 7 of the act, amended December 19, 1990 (P.L.812, No.195), are renumbered and amended to read:
Section [6] 303. Sales limited.
(a) General rule.--No person shall sell, offer for sale or furnish games of chance for use within this Commonwealth except to an eligible organization or [distributor] licensed
distributor under this [act] chapter. (b) Limitation.--No game of chance, other than a raffle
under section 302(d), sold, offered for sale or furnished to a licensed eligible organization for use within this Commonwealth shall contain, permit, depict or designate a prize having a [cash value] prize limit in excess of [$500] $1,000. Section [7] 304. Distributor licenses.
(a) License required.--No person shall sell, offer for sale or furnish games of chance to eligible organizations licensed under this [act] chapter unless such person shall have obtained a distributor license as provided in this section.
(b) Application.--An applicant for the grant or renewal of a distributor license issued pursuant to this section shall provide to the department, upon the form prescribed, all of
the following:
(1) The applicant's State sales tax number.
(2) The applicant's State corporate tax number.
(3) The applicant's State employer withholding tax number.
(4) The applicant's unemployment compensation account number.
(5) A statement that:
(i) all State tax reports have been filed and all State taxes paid;
(ii) all State taxes are subject to a timely administrative or judicial appeal; or
(iii) all State taxes are subject to a duly approved deferred payment plan.
(6) The names and business addresses of all owners, officers, directors, partners and sales personnel. (c) Waiver of confidentiality.--An applicant for the grant or renewal of [any] a distributor license issued pursuant to this section shall, by the filing of an application insofar as it relates to the department, waive any confidentiality with respect to State tax information in the possession of the department, the Office of Attorney General or the Department of Labor and Industry regarding that applicant, regardless of the source of that information, and shall consent to the providing of that information to the department by the Office of Attorney General or the Department of Labor and Industry. (d) Review of tax status.--Upon receipt of any application for the grant or renewal of [any] a distributor license issued pursuant to this section, the department shall review the State tax status of the applicant. The department shall request State tax information regarding the applicant from the Office of Attorney General or the Department of Labor and Industry and that information shall be provided. (e) Limitation on approval.--The department shall not
approve any application for the grant or renewal of [any] a distributor license issued pursuant to this section where the applicant has failed to:
(1) provide any of the information required by subsection (b);
(2) file required State tax reports; or
(3) pay any State taxes not subject to a timely administrative or judicial appeal or subject to a duly authorized deferred payment plan. (f) Records.--[The] A distributor licensee shall keep such records, reports and books as the department shall prescribe. Applicants shall be required to make such records, reports and books available as required by the department pursuant to regulation. (g) Ineligibility.--The department shall not issue or
renew a distributor license for the sale of games of chance to a person, including any corporation, firm or partnership which has as an officer, director or other person in a supervisory or management position, or employee eligible to make sales on
behalf of the distributor, who:
(1) has been convicted of a felony in a state or Federal court within the past five years; or
(2) has been convicted within ten years of the date of application in a state or Federal court of a violation of the act of July 10, 1981 (P.L.214, No.67), known as the Bingo Law, or of this act or of a gambling-related offense under Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (relating to crimes and offenses) or other comparable State or Federal law. (h) License and renewal fees.--The fee for a distributor license shall be $1,000. Licenses shall be renewable on an annual basis. (i) Exception.--This section shall not apply to the manufacture or distribution of raffle tickets. Section 8. Section 8 of the act is renumbered to read:
Section [8] 305. Registration of manufacturers. (a) Registration required.--No manufacturer of games of chance shall sell any games of chance to any person unless the manufacturer has registered with the department and has been issued a certificate of registration.
(b) Annual certificate; fee.--A certificate under this section shall be valid for one year. The annual fee for registration shall be $2,000. (c) Prohibited sales.--A manufacturer shall not sell games of chance to any person not licensed as a distributor unless the manufacturer is also a licensed distributor. (d) Exception.--This section shall not apply to the
manufacture or distribution of raffle tickets.
Section 9. Section 9 of the act, amended December 19, 1990 (P.L.812, No.195), is and amended to read:
Section [9] 306. Regulations of department. (a) Authorization.--The department shall promulgate regulations to:
(1) Impose minimum standards and restrictions applicable to games of chance manufactured for sale in this Commonwealth, which may include standards and restrictions which specify the maximum number of chances available to be sold for any single game of chance or prize and such other standards and restrictions as the department deems necessary for the purposes of this [act] chapter. The department shall consider standards adopted by the National Association of Gambling Regulatory Agencies and other standards commonly accepted in the industry.
(2) Establish procedures by which manufacturers may register and distributors of games of chance may apply for licensure on forms which the department shall provide. Procedures shall include a requirement that manufacturer and distributor applicants provide criminal history record information obtained from the Pennsylvania State Police under 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121(b) (relating to general regulations) for each officer and manager of the manufacturer's or distributor's organization and for any other individual specified by the department. As used in this paragraph, the term "criminal history record information" has the meaning given in 18 Pa.C.S. § 9102 (relating to definitions).
(3) Provide for the suspension or revocation of distribution licenses or manufacturer certificates for violations of this act or regulations of the department.
(4) Carry out other provisions of this act. (b) Limitation on recordkeeping requirements.--This section shall not be construed to authorize the department to promulgate regulations providing for recordkeeping requirements for licensed eligible organizations which require unreasonable or unnecessary information or a repetitious listing of information. The department shall strive to keep such recordkeeping requirements from being an undue hardship or burden on licensed eligible organizations. [Under no circumstances shall] Except as provided under section 701(b), the department may not require the retention of records for a period in excess of two years. (c) Reporting requirements.--Each eligible organization shall submit an annual report to the department including:
(1) Prizes awarded as required under section 335 of
the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971.
(2) Amounts expended for public interest purposes. Section 10. Section 10 of the act, amended December 19, 1990 (P.L.812, No.195) and October 18, 2000 (P.L.602, No.79),
is renumbered and amended to read:
Section [10] 307. Licensing of eligible organizations to conduct games of chance.
(a) License required.--No eligible organization shall conduct or operate any games of chance unless such eligible organization has obtained and maintains a valid license or
limited occasion license issued pursuant to this section. [Auxiliary groups within] An auxiliary group of a licensed eligible [organizations] organization shall be eligible to
conduct [small] games of chance using the license issued to the eligible organization provided that the auxiliary group or groups are listed on the application and license of the
eligible organization. An auxiliary group is not eligible to obtain a license or a limited occasion license. No additional licensing fee shall be charged for an auxiliary group's
eligibility under this [act] chapter. Auxiliary groups shall not include branches, lodges or chapters of a Statewide organization. (b) Issuance and fees.--The licensing authority shall
license, upon application, within 30 days any eligible organization meeting the requirements for licensure contained in this [act] chapter to conduct and operate games of chance at such locations within the county or in such manner as stated on the application as limited by subsection (b.1). The license fee to be charged to each eligible organization shall be $100, except for limited occasion licenses which shall be $10. Licenses shall be renewable annually upon the anniversary of the date of issue. The license fee shall be used by the licensing authority to administer this act. (b.1) Location of [small] games of chance.--
(1) Every licensed eligible organization, except a limited occasion licensee, may conduct small games of chance only at a licensed premises. The licensed premises shall be indicated on the eligible organization's license application. Only one license shall be issued per licensed premises. Except as provided under paragraph (4), a licensed eligible organization may not share a licensed premises with another licensed eligible organization; and no licensed eligible organization may permit its premises to be used for small games of chance by another licensed eligible organization.
(2) Where there exists a location or premises which is the normal business or operating site of the eligible organization and the location or premises is owned or leased by that eligible organization to conduct its normal business, that site shall be the eligible organization's licensed premises [for small games of chance conducted by the eligible organization]. If that location consists of more than one building [and the eligible organization wishes to conduct its games in a different building at that location from the one that is listed on its application and license, the eligible organization must notify, in writing, the district attorney and the licensing authority of the change in building site and the dates and times that will be affected], the eligible organization shall choose the
building that will be the licensed premises.
(3) When an eligible organization does not own or lease a specific location to conduct its normal business, [that] the eligible organization [may use another eligible organization's premises to conduct its games or] may make [such other] arrangements that are consistent with this act to establish a licensed premises, including[, but not limited to,] leasing a premise under a written agreement for a rental [which is not]; however, the rental may not be determined by either the amount of receipts realized from the [playing] conduct of games of chance [nor] or the number of people attending [except that an]. An eligible
organization may lease a facility for a banquet [where a per head charge is applied] in connection with the serving of a meal based on a per-head charge. [When such eligible
organization changes the site of its games from that which is listed on its application and license, the eligible organization must notify, in writing, the district attorney and licensing authority of the change in their games' site and dates and times that will be affected.]
(4) An eligible organization that has obtained a limited occasion license under subsection (b.3) may use another eligible organization's licensed premises to conduct its games of chance. When a licensed eligible organization is permitting a limited occasion licensee to
use its licensed premises for purposes of games of chance, it shall cease the operation of its own games of chance during the period that the limited occasion licensee is
conducting its games on the premises. (b.2) Off-premises games of chance.--otwithstanding any other provisions of this section, [an] all of the following apply:
(1) A licensed eligible organization may conduct [small] games of chance at a location off its premises when [such games] the games of chance are part of an annual carnival, fair, picnic or banquet held or participated in by that licensed eligible organization on a historical basis. The licensed eligible organization must notify, in writing, the district attorney and licensing authority of the location, date and times of [such events] the event
where it will be conducting [small] games of chance.
(2) Raffle tickets may be sold off the licensed premises in a municipality which has adopted the provisions of this act by an affirmative vote in a municipal referendum. A licensed eligible organization which plans to sell raffle tickets in a municipality located in a county other than the county in which the eligible organization is licensed shall notify that county's district attorney and licensing authority as to the location and the dates that
the licensed eligible organization plans to sell raffle tickets. (b.3) Limited occasion licenses.--Eligible organizations which do not own their own premises or which do not lease a specific location to conduct their normal business may apply for a limited occasion license to conduct [small] games of chance on not more than three occasions covering a total of seven days during a licensed year. A limited occasion license entitles an eligible [organizations holding such a license] organization to conduct no more than two raffles during a licensed year where prizes may not exceed the established limits for regular monthly raffles. Holders of a limited occasion [licenses] license may not apply or be granted any other license or special permit under this act. No holder of a regular license or special permit under this act shall apply or be granted a limited occasion license.
(b.4) Gambling facility prohibited.--It shall be unlawful for a person, corporation, association, partnership or other business entity to offer for rent or offer for use a building
or facility to be used exclusively for the [conducting] conduct of [small] games of chance. It shall also be unlawful for any eligible organization to lease under any terms a [facility or] building or facility which is used exclusively for the [conducting] conduct of [small] games of chance. (c) Display.--Licenses issued pursuant to this section shall be publicly displayed at the site [of the small] where games of chance are conducted. (d) Operation.--Each licensed eligible organization shall [comply with the following restrictions and rules governing the operation of games of chance] be prohibited from the following:
(1) [No] Permitting any person under 18 years of age [shall be permitted] to operate or play games of chance.
(2) [No eligible organization shall permit] Permitting any person who has been convicted of a felony in a Federal or State court within the past five years or has been convicted in a Federal or State court within the past ten years of a violation of the act of July 10, 1981 (P.L.214, No.67), known as the Bingo Law, or of this act to manage, set up, supervise or participate in the operation of games of chance. (3) [No eligible organization shall pay] Paying any compensation to any person for conducting any games of chance. Games of chance may only be conducted by managers, officers, directors, bar personnel and bona fide members of the eligible organization.
(4) [Games shall be conducted only] Conducting games of chance on any premises other than on the licensed premises or as otherwise provided by this [act] chapter.
(5) [The eligible organization shall not lease such] Leasing the licensed premises under either an oral or a written agreement for a rental which is determined by either the amount of receipts realized from the playing of games of chance or the number of people attending, except that an eligible organization may lease a facility for a banquet where a per head charge is applied in connection with the serving of a meal. An eligible organization shall not lease such premises from any person who has been
convicted of a violation of this act or the Bingo Law within the past ten years.
(6) [Games] Purchasing games of chance, other than raffles, daily drawings and weekly drawings, [shall be purchased only from manufacturers and distributors] from
any person other than a registered manufacturer or licensed distributor approved by the department. [(7) No licensed eligible organization shall permit its premises to be used for small games of chance by another licensed eligible organization at the same time that it is conducting small games of chance on the premises. When a licensed eligible organization is permitting another licensed eligible organization to use its premises for purposes of small games of chance, it must cease the operation of its own small games of chance during the period that the other licensed eligible organization is conducting its games on the premises.
(8) Raffle tickets may be sold off the licensed premise in any municipality in this Commonwealth which has adopted the provisions of this act by an affirmative vote
in a municipal referendum. A licensed eligible organization which plans to sell raffle tickets in a municipality located in a county other than the county in which the eligible organization is licensed must notify that county's district attorney and licensing authority as to the location and the dates that the eligible organization plans to sell raffle tickets.]
belonging to the licensed eligible organization. Account
records shall show all expenditures and income and shall be
retained by the licensed eligible organization for at least
two years.
(e) Application for license.--Each eligible organization
shall apply to the licensing authority for a license on a form
to be prescribed by the Secretary of Revenue. For a club
license, the application and each renewal application shall
include the most recent annual report filed by the club
licensee under Chapter 5. The form shall contain an affidavit
to be affirmed by the executive officer or secretary of the
eligible organization stating that:
(1) No person under 18 years of age will be permitted
by the eligible organization to operate or play games of
chance.
(2) The facility in which the games of chance are to
be played has adequate means of ingress and egress and
adequate sanitary facilities available in the area.
(3) The eligible organization is not leasing such
premises from the owner thereof under an oral agreement,
nor is it leasing such premises from the owner thereof
under a written agreement at a rental which is determined
by the amount of receipts realized from the playing of
games of chance or by the number of people attending,
except that an eligible organization may lease a facility
for a banquet where a per head charge is applied in
connection with the serving of a meal.
(e.1) Proceedings.--Proceedings before the licensing
authority are subject to 2 Pa.C.S. Chs. 5 Subch. B (relating
to practice and procedure of local agencies) and 7 Subch. B
(relating to judicial review of local agency action).
(f) List of licensees.--The licensing authority, on a
semiannual basis, shall send a copy of all licensees to the
[Department of Revenue] department.
(g) List of municipalities.--The licensing authority shall
include with any license or renewal license issued to an
eligible organization, an up-to-date listing of those
municipalities within the licensing county which have approved
the referendum question on small games of chance.
(h) Background checks.--Each application for a license
shall include the results of a criminal history record
information check obtained from the Pennsylvania State Police,
as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 9102 (relating to definitions) and
permitted by 18 Pa.C.S. § 9121(b) (relating to general
regulations), for the executive officer and secretary of the
eligible organization making the application for a license or
any other person required by the department.
Section 11. Section 11 of the act, amended December 19,
1990 (P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered and amended to read:
Section [11] 308. Special permits.
(a) Issuance and fee.--The licensing authority shall issue
a special permit for each raffle in which the [licensee]
licensed eligible organization proposes to award individual
prizes [having a cash value] in excess of [$500] $1,000. The
licensing authority may establish and collect a fee not to
exceed $25 for the issuance of special permits under this
section.
(b) Permit application.--Each special permit application
shall specify the location where the actual drawing will be
held, the number of chances to be sold, the price per chance
and the [cash value of the prize or prizes] prize to be
awarded.
Section 12. The act is amended by adding a chapter to
read:
CHAPTER 5
CLUB LICENSEES
Section 501. Club licensee.
(a) Report.--
(1) Beginning in 2013, a club licensee shall submit
semiannual reports to the department for the preceding six-
month period on a form and in a manner prescribed by the
department.
(2) The report must be filed under oath or affirmation
of an authorized officer of the club licensee.
(3) The report shall include all of the following
information:
(i) The proceeds received by the club licensee
from each game of chance conducted, itemized by week.
(ii) The amount of prizes paid from all games of
chance, itemized by week.
(iii) Other costs incurred related to the conduct
of games of chance.
(iv) The verification of amounts distributed for
public interest purposes itemized under section
502(a)(1), itemized by the recipient.
(v) An itemized list of expenditures made or
amounts retained and expenditures under section
502(a)(2).
(vi) The address and the county in which the club
licensee is located.
(vii) Other information or documentation required
by the department.
(b) Distribution.--The department shall provide a copy of
the report to the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement.
(c) Posting.--The reports under subsection (a) shall be
published on the department's Internet website.
Section 502. Distribution of proceeds.
(a) Distribution.--The proceeds from games of chance
received by a club licensee shall be distributed as follows:
(1) No less than 70% of the proceeds shall be paid to
organizations for public interest purposes in the calendar
year in which the proceeds were obtained.
(2) No more than 30% of the proceeds obtained in a
calendar year may be retained by a club licensee and used
for the following operational expenses relating to the club
licensee:
(i) Real property taxes.
(ii) Utility and fuel costs.
(iii) Heating and air conditioning equipment or
repair costs.
(iv) Water and sewer costs.
(v) Property or liability insurance costs.
(vi) Mortgage payments.
(vii) Interior and exterior repair costs,
including repair to parking lots.
(viii) New facility construction costs.
(ix) Entertainment equipment, including
television, video and electronic games.
(x) Other expenses adopted in regulation by the
department.
(a.1) Amounts retained.--Amounts retained by a club
licensee under subsection (a)(2) shall be expended within the
same calendar year unless the club licensee notifies the
department that funds are being retained for a substantial
purchase or project. Notification shall include a description
of the purchase or project, the cost and the anticipated date
of the purchase or project.
(b) Prohibition.--
(1) Proceeds shall not be used for wages, alcohol or
food purchases or for the payment of any fine levied
against the club licensee.
(2) An officer or employee of a club licensee who
operates the game of chance shall not participate in the
game. This paragraph shall not apply to a raffle.
Section 503. Records.
A club licensee shall maintain records as required by this
act or by the department, including invoices for games of
chance purchased. Records necessary to conduct an audit under
section 702(b) shall be made available to the Bureau of Liquor
Control Enforcement or other entity authorized to enforce this
act.
Section 504. Raffle tickets.
A club licensee shall maintain records relating to the
printing or purchase of raffle tickets. Records shall include
a receipt or invoice from the place of purchase that shows the
cost and number or amount of tickets purchased.
Section 505. Weekly drawings.
A club licensee shall maintain records relating to the
printing or purchase of materials to be used for weekly
drawings. Records shall include a receipt or invoice from the
place of purchase that shows the cost and number or amount of
materials purchased.
Section 13. The act is amended by adding a chapter heading
to read:
CHAPTER 7
ENFORCEMENT
Section 14. Section 12 of the act, amended December 19,
1990 (P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered and amended to read:
Section [12] 701. Revocation of licenses.
(a) Grounds.--The [licensing authority shall revoke or
refuse to renew the license of any eligible organization
whenever the district attorney finds upon complaint and
investigation that] following shall be grounds for suspension,
revocation or nonrenewal of a license:
(1) Any of the [funds] proceeds derived from the
operation of games of chance by an eligible organization
are used for any purpose other than for:
(i) public interest purposes [or for];
(ii) the purchase of games of chance [as]; or
(iii) a purpose permitted by [this act] Chapter
5.
(1.1) Any of the funds derived from the operation of
games of chance by a club licensee are used in a manner
that does not comply with section 502.
(2) Any person under 18 years of age is operating or
playing games of chance [as defined in this act].
(3) The eligible organization has permitted any person
who has been convicted of a felony in a Federal or State
court within the past five years or has been convicted in a
Federal or State court within the past ten years of a
violation of the act of July 10, 1981 (P.L.214, No.67),
known as the Bingo Law, or of this act, to manage, set up,
supervise or participate in the operation of games of
chance.
(4) The facility in which the games of chance are
played does not have adequate means of ingress and egress
and does not have adequate sanitary facilities available in
the area.
(5) Any person or persons other than a manager,
officer, director, bar personnel or a bona fide member of
an eligible organization have been involved in managing,
setting up, operating or running games of chance.
(6) Any person has received compensation for
conducting games of chance.
(7) Any prize has been awarded in excess of the limits
permitted under this act.
(8) The eligible organization has violated any
condition of a special permit issued pursuant to section
[11] 308.
(9) The eligible organization conducts the games of
chance under a lease which calls for:
(i) leasing such premises from the owner thereof
under an oral agreement; or
(ii) leasing such premises from the owner thereof
under a written agreement at a rental which is
determined by the amount of receipts realized from the
playing of games of chance.
(10) False or erroneous information was provided in
the original application or in any information provided to
the licensing authority or the department in any report.
(11) An eligible organization has been convicted of a
violation of this act as evidenced by a certified record of
the conviction.
(12) The eligible organization has permitted another
eligible organization to conduct [small] games of chance on
its licensed premises without suspending its own operation
of [small] games of chance during the period that the other
licensed eligible organization is conducting its games on
the premises.
(13) A club licensee has failed to file an accurate
report under section 501(a).
(14) A club licensee has failed to comply with section
502.
(15) Failure to file reports under section 501.
(b) Production of records.--The district attorney may
require licensees to produce their books, accounts and records
relating to the conduct of games of chance in order to
determine [whether a license should be revoked or renewal
thereof denied] if a violation of this act has occurred.
Licensees shall also be required, upon request, to [produce]
provide their license, books, accounts and records relating to
the conduct of games of chance to [other] the licensing
authority, the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement or to a
law enforcement [officials upon proper request] agency or
official. A club licensee shall retain records for a period of
five years.
Section 15. Section 13 of the act is renumbered and
amended to read:
Section [13] 702. Enforcement.
[(a) District attorney.--The district attorney shall
investigate alleged violations of this act. If the district
attorney finds probable cause to believe that a violation has
occurred, he may file a complaint against the alleged violator
in the court of common pleas of said county, except in
counties of the first class where the complaint may be filed
in the municipal court. In addition, the district attorney
shall prosecute said complaint in the manner provided by law.
(b) Other law enforcement officials.--Nothing in this act
shall be interpreted to restrict the power of State, county or
local law enforcement officials to conduct investigations and
enforce the provisions of this act.]
(a) Licensing authority.--The licensing authority may
enforce the provisions of this act and may impose the
penalties under subsection (d).
(b) Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement.--If the licensee
is a club licensee, the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement
may enforce the provisions of this act. An administrative law
judge under section 212 of the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90,
No.21), known as the Liquor Code, may impose the penalties
under subsection (d) following the issuance of a citation by
the bureau.
(c) Random audits.--The Bureau of Liquor Control
Enforcement shall conduct annual random audits of 5% of all
club licensees.
(d) Powers and duties.--The licensing authority, or, in
the case of a club licensee, the Bureau of Liquor Control
Enforcement, may impose the following penalties:
(1) A civil penalty.
(2) Suspension or revocation of the license.
(e) District attorney.--The district attorney of the
county that issued the license shall investigate alleged
violations of this act. If the district attorney finds
probable cause to believe that a criminal violation has
occurred, the district attorney may file criminal charges and
prosecute the complaint against the alleged violator in the
court of common pleas of the county except in counties of the
first class where the complaint may be filed in the municipal
court.
(f) Law enforcement officials.--Nothing in this act may
restrict or limit the power of a State, county or local law
enforcement official to conduct investigations and file
criminal charges under this act.
(g) General rule.--
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a violation
of this act by a club licensee shall not constitute a
violation of the Liquor Code.
(2) If a club licensee has committed three or more
violations of this act, the Bureau of Liquor Control
Enforcement may enforce a violation of this act as a
violation of the Liquor Code.
(3) A violation of this act shall not constitute a
violation of the Liquor Code for the purposes of section
471(c) of the Liquor Code.
Section 16. Section 14 of the act, amended July 11, 1990
(P.L.449, No.108) and December 19, 1990 (P.L.812, No.195), is
renumbered and amended to read:
Section [14] 703. Local option.
(a) Election to be held.--In any municipality, an election
may be held on the date of the primary election immediately
preceding any municipal election, but not more than once in
four years, to determine the will of the electors with respect
to the issuance of licenses within the limits of such
municipality under the provisions of this act. Where an
election shall have been held at the primary election
preceding a municipal election in any year, another election
may be held under the provisions of this act at the primary
election occurring the fourth year after such prior election.
Whenever electors equal to at least 25% of the highest vote
cast for any office in the municipality at the last preceding
general election shall file a petition with the county board
of elections of the county, or the governing body of the
municipality adopts, by a majority vote, a resolution to place
such a question on the ballot and a copy of the resolution is
filed with the board of elections of the county, for a
referendum on the question of issuing licenses, the county
board of elections shall cause a question to be placed on the
ballot or on the voting machine board and submitted at the
primary election immediately preceding the municipal election.
The question shall be in the following form:
Do you favor the issuance of licenses
to conduct small games of chance in the
of ?
(b) Vote.--If a majority of the electors voting on the
question vote "yes," then licenses shall be issued by the
licensing authority in such municipality, but if a majority of
the electors voting on any such question vote "no," then the
licensing authority shall have no power to issue or to renew,
upon their expiration, any licenses in such municipality,
unless and until, at a later election, a majority of the
voting electors vote "yes" on such question.
(c) Voting proceedings.--Proceedings under this section
shall be in accordance with the provisions of the act of June
3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election
Code.
(d) Applicability.--This act applies only to those
eligible organizations located in municipalities which have
adopted the provisions of this act by an affirmative vote in a
municipal referendum in accordance with the provisions of this
section.
(e) Withdrawal of approval.--The referendum procedure
contained in this section shall also be available to withdraw
the approval of the issuance of such licenses within such
municipality which was granted through a prior referendum.
(f) Special exception.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of this act to the contrary, in any municipality
except a city of the first class where an election was held
pursuant to this section on May 16, 1989, and a majority of
the electors voted "NO" on the question, the municipality
shall be able to resubmit the question, in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this section, at the general election
immediately following [the effective date of this amendatory
act] July 11, 1990.
Section 17. Section 15 of the act, amended December 19,
1990 (P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered to read:
Section [15] 704. Advertising.
It shall be unlawful for any eligible organization or
person to advertise the prizes or their dollar value to be
awarded in games of chance, provided that prizes may be
identified on raffle tickets. Notwithstanding the prohibition
of advertising contained within this section, an eligible
organization may advertise prizes and values thereof in
periodic publications which are limited in their circulation
to members of the eligible organization.
Section 18. Section 16 of the act is renumbered and
amended to read:
Section [16] 705. Certain persons prohibited.
No licensed distributor nor any person who has been
convicted of a felony or of a violation of the act of July 10,
1981 (P.L.214, No.67), known as the Bingo Law, or of this act
or of any comparable State or Federal law shall have a
pecuniary interest in the operation [or proceeds of games of
chance] or in proceeds.
Section 19. The act is amended by adding a section to
read:
Section 706. Civil penalties.
(a) Penalty.--An eligible organization, other than a club
licensee, that violates the provisions of this act shall be
subject to the following civil penalties:
(1) For an initial violation, up to $500.
(2) For a second violation, up to $1,000.
(3) For a third or subsequent violation, up to $1,500.
(b) Club licensee.--A club licensee that violates the
provisions of this act shall be subject to the following civil
penalties:
(1) For an initial violation, up to $800.
(2) For a second violation, up to $1,000.
(3) For a third or subsequent violation, up to $2,000.
(c) Records.--The intentional or willful failure of a club
licensee to provide accurate records shall result in a license
suspension of a minimum of six months.
Section 20. Section 17 of the act, amended December 19,
1990 (P.L.812, No.195), is renumbered and amended to read:
Section [17] 707. [Penalties] Criminal penalties.
(a) Eligible organizations and club licensees.--Any
eligible organization violating the provisions of this act
shall be guilty of a summary offense and, upon conviction
thereof, shall be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $1,000
[and shall] for a first offense[,] and $1,500 for a subsequent
offense. In addition:
(1) For a first offense, the eligible organization
shall forfeit the license to conduct games of chance issued
to the eligible organization for [the remainder of the
licensing period or six months, whichever is longer, for] a
period of not more than 30 days.
(2) For a second offense, the eligible organization
shall forfeit [the] its license [issued to the eligible
organization] for [the remainder of the current licensing
period and be ineligible to be licensed for the following
licensing period, for] a period of not less than 30 days
nor more than 180 days.
(3) For a third or subsequent offense[,] within three
years of the first offense, the eligible organization shall
forfeit [the] its license [issued to the eligible
organization] and be ineligible for a license renewal for
30 months thereafter.
(b) Individuals.--Any person who conducts or assists in
the conducting of games of chance in violation of the
provisions of this act is guilty of a summary offense for a
first violation. A second violation of this act shall be
punishable as a misdemeanor of the third degree. A third or
subsequent violation shall be punishable as a misdemeanor of
the first degree.
(c) Distributors and manufacturers.--Any person who
distributes games of chance without a license or in violation
of any provision of this act or applicable regulations, and
any manufacturer of games of chance who delivers games of
chance for sale or distribution in this Commonwealth who fails
to register and obtain a permit therefor is guilty of a
misdemeanor of the first degree, provided that no license or
permit shall be required for the manufacture or distribution
of raffle tickets.
(d) Rigging.--A person commits a misdemeanor of the first
degree if, with intent to prevent a game of chance from being
conducted in accordance with the requirements of this act or
the rules and usages governing the game of chance, he:
(1) confers or offers or agrees to confer any benefit
upon or threatens any injury to a participant or other
person associated with the game of chance;
(2) tampers with any person or [games] game of chance;
or
(3) solicits, accepts or agrees to accept any benefit.
(e) Contingent fees.--Any person who distributes,
manufactures or operates a small game of chance and who
requires, for equipment furnished or to play a game of chance,
payment equal to a percentage of the total winnings of any
game of chance commits a misdemeanor of the first degree.
Section 21. The act is amended by adding a chapter heading
to read:
CHAPTER 31
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 22. Section 18 of the act is renumbered to read:
Section [18] 3101. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
Section 23. This act shall take effect in 30 days.
APPROVED--The 2nd day of February, A.D. 2012.
TOM CORBETT