Pennsylvania HB 520: An Act amending the act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262, No.156), known as the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act, providing for social card games and tournaments.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 513
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 520
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY DELOZIER, PICKETT, CIRESI, GALLAGHER, ROAE AND
ROWE, FEBRUARY 5, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GAMING OVERSIGHT, FEBRUARY 5, 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," providing for social
card games and tournaments.
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 to read:
CHAPTER 8
SOCIAL CARD GAMES AND TOURNAMENTS
Section 801. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Nonbanking card game." A card game where players play
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against one another rather than against the house. Nonbanking
card games may include any of the following:
(1) Poker games.
(2) Hearts.
(3) Rummy.
(4) Pinochle.
(5) Bid Whist.
"Nonbanking card game tournament" or "tournament." A series
of card games held by a licensed eligible organization during a
consecutive period of time of not more than 24 hours and not
held as part of any other games of chance.
"Pyramid or build-up." A card game in which a prize must be
returned in order to play another game or to be eligible for
another bigger prize, or a game in which the prize must be
forfeited if a later game is lost.
"Social card game" or "card game." A nonbanking card game
that is played by members at the licensed premises of an
eligible organization.
Section 802. Authorization to conduct social card games.
(a) General rule.--Notwithstanding any provision of 18
Pa.C.S. (relating to crimes and offenses) or any regulation to
the contrary, social card games may be played at the licensed
premises of an eligible organization in accordance with the
requirements of this chapter.
(b) Conditions.--
(1) Card games may only be played by and between members
of the eligible organization.
(2) No eligible organization or other person may have an
interest, financial or otherwise, in the outcome of a card
game.
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(3) Only nonbanking card games may be played with
members playing against each other.
(4) Wagering shall be entirely at the discretion of each
player.
(5) The maximum prize or payout for a card game shall be
limited to $100.
(6) No eligible organization may charge a fee for play.
(7) Not more than 10 members may play at a table in a
card game.
(8) Card games may only be played in a room set aside
for those activities at the licensed premises of the eligible
organization.
(9) Not more than five gaming tables may be made
available for the play of card games by the eligible
organization.
(10) No card games may be played between the hours of 1
a.m. and 1 p.m.
(11) No eligible organization or other person may
collect, obtain or charge a percentage of or collect or
obtain a portion of a wager or winnings of a player in a card
game, except that a player may collect the player's own
winnings.
(12) No eligible organization or other person may
collect or obtain any money from, or charge or impose a fee
upon, a person that either enables the person to play or
results in or from the person playing a card game. Nothing in
this paragraph shall be construed to preclude the collection
of a membership fee by the eligible organization that is
unrelated to participation in the play of a card game
authorized under this chapter.
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(13) An eligible organization that allows the use of the
organization's premises for the play of card games by the
organization's members in accordance with this chapter shall
submit a schedule of the proposed dates of the card games and
any card game tournaments to the licensing authority.
(c) Required postings.--An eligible organization that
permits the play of card games at the organization's licensed
premises shall prominently post the following in close proximity
of card game tables in the room designated to play card games:
(1) The wagering limits for each type of card game.
(2) The rules of play.
(3) Information on where a person can obtain help for
problem gambling, including the telephone number for the
Pennsylvania Compulsive Gambling Helpline.
(d) Prohibitions.--
(1) It shall be unlawful for an eligible organization
to:
(i) Obtai