Pennsylvania HB 1050: 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 and for sales limited, providing for pull-tab deals, further providing for distributor licenses, for registration of manufacturers, for regulations of department and for licensing of eligible organizations; in club licensees, further providing for distribution of proceeds; and, in enforcement, further providing for revocation of licenses and providing for other penalties.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1122
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1050
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY MEHAFFIE, CERRATO, DEASY, DONAHUE, MADDEN,
MALAGARI, McNEILL, MERSKI, SANCHEZ AND STENDER,
MARCH 24, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GAMING OVERSIGHT, MARCH 24, 2025
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; in games of
chance, further providing for prize limits and for sales
limited, providing for pull-tab deals, further providing for
distributor licenses, for registration of manufacturers, for
regulations of department and for licensing of eligible
organizations; in club licensees, further providing for
distribution of proceeds; and, in enforcement, further
providing for revocation of licenses and providing for other
penalties.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The definitions of "games of chance" and "passive
selection device" 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, are amended and the section is amended by adding
definitions to read:
Section 103. Definitions.
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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:
* * *
"Electronic pull-tab device." An electronic device used by a
player solely to facilitate the play of an electronic pull-tab
game. For the purpose of this definition, the following shall
apply:
(1) An e lectronic pull-tab device shall be a cabinet or
portable tablet, not including a mobile phone or other
personal computing device.
(2) An electronic pull-tab device shall be incorporated
into an electronic pull-tab system and may not be used for
personal communication or capable of connection to an
unsecured or publicly accessible communication network.
"Electronic pull-tab game." An electronic or digital
representation of a pull-tab game played on an electronic pull-
tab device. For the purpose of this definition, an electronic
pull-tab game may not replicate the game of keno, blackjack,
roulette, poker, craps or any other casino-style table game. The
reveal of numbers or symbols in an electronic pull-tab game may
incorporate an entertainment or bonus theme if all of the
following apply:
(1) The reveal does not include spinning reels that
resemble a slot machine.
(2) The reveal theme does not require an additional
consideration or award any prize other than the predetermined
prize associated with the winning electronic pull-tab ticket.
"Electronic pull-tab system." Electronic pull-tab games,
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electronic pull-tab devices and an associated computer or
device, including all related hardware and software, used to
facilitate the play of electronic pull-tab games and store and
manage game data between and from points-of-sale.
* * *
"Event game." A pull -tab game, played with or without a seal
card, in which certain prizes are determined by the draw of a
bingo ball or some other approved specified event which randomly
selects numbers or symbols that correspond to the numbers or
symbols printed by the manufacturer on the pull-tab. For the
purpose of this definition, the following shall apply:
(1) An event pull-tab may not be both an instant winner
and a hold card.
(2) A game may not contain duplicate hold combinations.
If a game contains multiple sets of hold combinations, each
set shall be distinguishable by color or distinguishing
features.
(3) An event pull-tab may contain more than one hold
combination.
(4) The number of winners and prize amounts shall be
built into the payout structure for the game by the
manufacturer.
* * *
"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 paper and
electronic pull-tab games, 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
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other than a dispensing machine [or], passive selection device
or electronic pull-tab system and further provided [that] the
particular chance taken