Pennsylvania 2019-2020 Regular Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 4 R · 1 D cosponsors

SB 784 — An Act amending the act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262, No.156), known as the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in games of chance, further providing for prize limits, providing for pull-tab deal and further providing for regulations of department; and, in tavern gaming, further providing for definitions, for licenses, for application, for approval, for enforcement and for prohibitions.

Last action — Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2019-2020 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

167 added · 229 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of Bill SB 784 includes some important changes regarding regulations for games of chance manufactured for sale in Pennsylvania. The bill now specifies that the Department will set minimum standards for these games, removing previously proposed maximum limits on the number of chances that can be sold. This change simplifies the regulation process, allowing for more flexibility in how games are conducted, which could ultimately encourage more options for players and businesses.

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PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
PRINTER'S NO.
1088 PRINTER'S NO.
1088 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL Session of No.
1348 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL Session of No.
784 2019 INTRODUCED BY YAW, SCHWANK AND STEFANO, JULY 8, 2019 REFERRED TO COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, JULY 8, 2019 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 suspensions and revocations of licenses and permits;d for requiring records;
784 2019 INTRODUCED BY YAW, SCHWANK, STEFANO AND BREWSTER, JULY 8, 2019 SENATOR KILLION, COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AS AMENDED, OCTOBER 30, 2019 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 suspensions and revocations of licenses and permits;d for requiring records;
and, in tavern gaming, further providing for DEFINITIONS, FOR licenses, for application, for approval, for <-- enforcement and for prohibitions.
and, in tavern gaming, further providing for licenses, for application, for approval, for enforcement and for prohibitions.
* * * "Games of chance." Punchboards, daily drawings, weekly drawings, 50/50 drawings, raffles, tavern games, pools, race night games and [pull-tabs,] pull-tab games, including event games, subset pull-tab games, pick-board games and progressive pull-tab games 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, except for pull-tab event games, 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 20190SB0784PN1348 - 2 - be determined solely at the discretion of the purchaser.
* * * "Games of chance." Punchboards, daily drawings, weekly drawings, 50/50 drawings, raffles, tavern games, pools, race night games and [pull-tabs,] pull-tab games, including event games, subset pull-tab games, pick-board games and progressive pull-tab games 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, except for pull-tab event games, 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 20190SB0784PN1088 - 2 - be determined solely at the discretion of the purchaser.
Certain tickets in each subset shall bear a 20190SB0784PN1348 - 3 - designation providing one or more players the opportunity to win a prize when the sealed tab or tabs are opened.
Certain tickets in each subset shall bear a 20190SB0784PN1088 - 3 - designation providing one or more players the opportunity to win a prize when the sealed tab or tabs are opened.
(f) Daily drawing carryover.--The prize limitation contained in [subsections (a) and (b)] subsection (a) may be exceeded by a 20190SB0784PN1348 - 4 - daily drawing under the following circumstances:
(f) Daily drawing carryover.--The prize limitation contained in [subsections (a) and (b)] subsection (a) may be exceeded by a 20190SB0784PN1088 - 4 - daily drawing under the following circumstances:
* * * 20190SB0784PN1348 - 5 - Section 3.
* * * 20190SB0784PN1088 - 5 - Section 3.
Sections 306(a)(1), 903(b)(4), (5), (6) and (7), <-- (d) and (e), 904 and 905(c) of the act are amended to read:
Sections 306(a)(1), 903(b)(4), (5), (6) and (7), (d) and (e), 904 and 905(c) of the act are amended to read:
SECTION 4.
Section 306.
SECTION 306(A)(1) OF THE ACT IS AMENDED TO READ:
<-- Section 306.
* * * SECTION 5.
* * * Section 903.
THE DEFINITION OF "BUREAU" IN SECTION 902 OF THE <-- ACT IS AMENDED TO READ:
SECTION 902.
DEFINITIONS.
THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND PHRASES WHEN USED IN THIS CHAPTER SHALL HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN THIS SECTION UNLESS THE 20190SB0784PN1348 - 6 - CONTEXT CLEARLY INDICATES OTHERWISE:
* * * ["BUREAU." THE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA GAMING CONTROL BOARD.] * * * SECTION 6.
SECTIONS 903(B)(4), (5), (6) AND (7), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), (H) AND (I), 904(A), (B) AND (C) AND 905(B) AND (C) OF THE ACT ARE AMENDED TO READ:
Section 903.
* * * (4) [Certified consent by the applicant, including each owner and officer of the restaurant licensee, to a background investigation by the bureau.] A criminal history record information report issued under 18 Pa.C.S.
* * * (4) [Certified consent by the applicant, including each 20190SB0784PN1088 - 6 - owner and officer of the restaurant licensee, to a background investigation by the bureau.] A criminal history record information report issued under 18 Pa.C.S.
20190SB0784PN1348 - 7 - (6) Financial background and interests and transactions as required by the [bureau] BOARD.
(6) Financial background and interests and transactions as required by the bureau.
<-- (7) Relating to citations of the applicant issued under the Liquor Code or any other discipline or penalty administered or issued by a Commonwealth agency.
(7) Relating to citations of the applicant issued under the Liquor Code or any other discipline or penalty administered or issued by a Commonwealth agency.
* * * (C) DUTY OF [BUREAU] BOARD.--THE [BUREAU] BOARD SHALL <-- CONDUCT A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION OF EACH APPLICANT[, THE SCOPE OF WHICH SHALL BE DETERMINED BY THE BUREAU].
* * * (d) Review.--Within six months of receipt of the background investigation report from the bureau, the board shall approve or disapprove the application within 30 days of receipt of the application.
(d) Review.--Within six months of receipt of the background investigation report [from the bureau], the board shall approve <-- or disapprove the application within 30 days of receipt of the application.
(1) Criminal history record information.
20190SB0784PN1088 - 7 - (1) Criminal history record information.
(4) Other information required by the bureau.] (F) PERSONAL INTERVIEW.--IF THE [BUREAU] BOARD DETERMINES <-- THAT THE RESULTS OF THE BACKGROUND REPORT INVESTIGATION WARRANT ADDITIONAL REVIEW OF THE INDIVIDUAL, THE [BUREAU] BOARD SHALL CONDUCT A PERSONAL INTERVIEW WITH THE APPLICANT AND MAY REQUEST INFORMATION AND INTERVIEWS FROM OTHER PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATES.
(4) Other information required by the bureau.] * * * Section 904.
(G) COOPERATION.--THE APPLICANT SHALL COOPERATE [WITH THE BUREAU] AS REQUESTED DURING THE CONDUCT OF THE BACKGROUND 20190SB0784PN1348 - 8 - INVESTIGATION.
ANY REFUSAL TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION REQUIRED UNDER THIS SECTION OR TO CONSENT TO A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION SHALL RESULT IN THE IMMEDIATE DENIAL OF A LICENSE BY THE BOARD.
(H) COSTS.--THE APPLICANT SHALL REIMBURSE THE [BUREAU] BOARD FOR THE ACTUAL COSTS OF CONDUCTING THE BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION.
THE BOARD SHALL NOT APPROVE AN APPLICANT THAT HAS NOT FULLY REIMBURSED THE [BUREAU FOR] COST OF THE INVESTIGATION.
(I) APPROVAL.--[THE BUREAU SHALL TRANSMIT THE INVESTIGATIVE REPORT AND MAY MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD.] THE BOARD SHALL REVIEW THE INFORMATION OBTAINED UNDER THIS SECTION TO DETERMINE IF THE APPLICANT POSSESSES THE FOLLOWING:
(1) FINANCIAL STABILITY, INTEGRITY AND RESPONSIBILITY.
(2) SUFFICIENT BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AND ABILITY TO EFFECTIVELY OPERATE TAVERN GAMES AS PART OF THE RESTAURANT LICENSEE'S OPERATOR.
(3) CHARACTER, HONESTY AND INTEGRITY TO BE LICENSED TO OPERATE TAVERN GAMES IN A RESPONSIBLE AND LAWFUL MANNER.
* * * Section 904.
[(b) Investigative fee.--An applicant shall pay an investigative fee of $1,000 to the bureau.] (c) [Costs.--In addition to the fee under subsection (b), an] Investigative costs.--An applicant and any owner and officer of the applicant shall pay for the [actual] reasonable and necessary costs of a background investigation [conducted by the <-- bureau [that exceed the application fee].
[(b) Investigative fee.--An applicant shall pay an investigative fee of $1,000 to the bureau.] (c) [Costs.--In addition to the fee under subsection (b), an] Investigative costs.--An applicant and any owner and officer of the applicant shall pay for the [actual] reasonable and necessary costs of a background investigation conducted by the bureau [that exceed the application fee].
The [bureau] BOARD <-- may:
The bureau may:
(1) Charge an estimated amount to be provided prior to 20190SB0784PN1348 - 9 - the background investigation.
(1) Charge an estimated amount to be provided prior to the background investigation.
Show all 62 changed rows (22 more)
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(d) Funds.--Funds collected under [subsections (b) and (c)] <-- subsection (c) shall augment the funds appropriated to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board under 4 Pa.C.S.
(d) Funds.--Funds collected under [subsections (b) and (c)] subsection (c) shall augment the funds appropriated to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board under 4 Pa.C.S.
* * * <-- Section 905.
Section 905.
* * * (B) RENEWAL.--A LICENSE SHALL BE RENEWED ANNUALLY.
* * * (c) Fee.--Upon approval, the applicant shall pay a [$2,000] $1,000 license fee to be deposited in the General Fund.
[A <-- LICENSE RENEWAL SHALL NOT REQUIRE REVIEW OF THE BUREAU, UNLESS REQUESTED BY THE BOARD.] THE BOARD MAY REFUSE TO RENEW A TAVERN GAMING LICENSE FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
The annual renewal fee shall be $1,000.
(1) A LICENSE SHALL NOT BE ISSUED TO A RESTAURANT LICENSEE WHOSE LIQUOR LICENSE IS IN SAFEKEEPING UNDER SECTION 474.1 OF THE ACT OF APRIL 12, 1951 (P.L.90, NO.21), KNOWN AS THE LIQUOR CODE.
* * * 20190SB0784PN1088 - 8 - Section 5.
(2) A LICENSE SHALL NOT BE ISSUED TO A LOCATION THAT IS SUBJECT TO A PENDING OBJECTION UNDER SECTION 470(A.1) OF THE LIQUOR CODE.
Section 913(c), (d) and (f) of the act are amended and the section is amended by adding subsections to read:
(3) A LICENSE SHALL NOT BE ISSUED TO A LOCATION THAT IS SUBJECT TO:
(I) A PENDING LICENSE SUSPENSION UNDER SECTION 471 OF THE LIQUOR CODE;
OR (II) A ONE-YEAR PROHIBITION ON THE ISSUANCE OR TRANSFER OF A LICENSE UNDER SECTION 471(B) OF THE LIQUOR CODE.
(c) Fee.--Upon approval, the applicant shall pay a [$2,000] $1,000 license fee to be deposited in the General Fund.
The 20190SB0784PN1348 - 10 - annual renewal fee shall be $1,000.
* * * Section 5 7.
Section 913(c), (d) and (f) of the act are <-- amended and the section is amended by adding subsections to read:
(ii) The information contained in the applicant's 20190SB0784PN1348 - 11 - initial application or any renewal application is no longer true and correct.
(ii) The information contained in the applicant's initial application or any renewal application is no longer true and correct.
(2) In the event of a revocation, suspension or failure to renew, the applicant's authorization to conduct the previously approved activity shall immediately cease, and all fees paid in connection therewith shall be deemed to be forfeited.
20190SB0784PN1088 - 9 - (2) In the event of a revocation, suspension or failure to renew, the applicant's authorization to conduct the previously approved activity shall immediately cease, and all fees paid in connection therewith shall be deemed to be forfeited.
(2) If a restaurant licensee has committee three or more violations of this act in a calendar year, the bureau BOARD <-- may enforce a violation of this chapter as a violation of the Liquor Code.
(2) If a restaurant licensee has committee three or more violations of this act in a calendar year, the bureau may enforce a violation of this chapter as a violation of the Liquor Code.
Section 6 8.
Section 6.
Section 914(4) and (7) of the act are amended <-- to read:
Section 914(4) and (7) of the act are amended to read:
20190SB0784PN1348 - 12 - The following shall apply to any license authorized or issued under this chapter:
The following shall apply to any license authorized or issued under this chapter:
* * * (4) The board shall be prohibited from issuing a license to any person who has been convicted of a felony offense or misdemeanor gambling offense in [any jurisdiction] this Commonwealth unless 15 years have elapsed from the date of conviction of the offense.
20190SB0784PN1088 - 10 - * * * (4) The board shall be prohibited from issuing a license to any person who has been convicted of a felony offense or misdemeanor gambling offense in [any jurisdiction] this Commonwealth unless 15 years have elapsed from the date of conviction of the offense.
* * * Section 7 9.
* * * Section 7.
<-- 20190SB0784PN1348 - 13 -
20190SB0784PN1088 - 11 -
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Amendments

1 amendment

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Action History

  1. Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS

  2. Second consideration

  3. Removed from table

  4. Laid on the table

  5. Removed from table

  6. Laid on the table

  7. First consideration

  8. PN 1348 Reported as amended

  9. PN 1088 Referred to COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 6 co-sponsors · 246 not signed on · 2 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (6)

Not signed on (246)

246 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Committee vote (COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT): Reported as Amended

Passed 10 Yea · 4 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 4100
Democratic 2100
Unaffiliated 4200
Total 10400
% of votes cast 71%29%0%0%
How each member voted (14)
Member Party Vote
DISANTO — Yea
SCAVELLO — Yea
KILLION — Yea
SCARNATI — Yea
IOVINO — Nay
SABATINA — Nay
Lindsey M. Williams Democratic Nay
Lisa M. Boscola Democratic Yea
Wayne D. Fontana Democratic Yea
Daniel Laughlin Republican Yea
David G. Argall Republican Yea
Kathleen C. Tomlinson Republican Nay
Kim L. Ward Republican Yea
Patrick J. Stefano Republican Yea

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Subjects

public-safety finance elections
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 784?
SB 784 is sponsored by Gene Yaw (Republican), Judith L. Schwank (Democratic), Patrick J. Stefano (Republican), Brewster, Mensch, Doug Mastriano (Republican), and Judy Ward (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 784?
This bill died with 2019-2020 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 784?
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