HB 2432 (Pennsylvania) — Summary
Overview
- Bill: HB 2432
- Session: 2025-2026
- Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
- Short Title: An Act amending the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act (December 19, 1988, P.L.1262, No.156)
- Primary focus: Modify prize limits and licensing provisions related to small games of chance and raffles, and adjust distribution of proceeds for club licensees.
Sponsors
- Primary sponsor: (not listed)
- Co-sponsors: Rob Kauffman, Jake Banta, Marla Brown, Jill Cooper, Aaron Bernstine, David Rowe, Marci Mustello
Purpose and intent
- The bill aims to update and tighten certain aspects of the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act, particularly around:
- Prize limits for games of chance and raffles
- Licensing requirements for eligible organizations
- Issuance and regulation of special permits
- Distribution of proceeds by club licensees
Key provisions (anticipated changes)
- Prize limits for games of chance:
- Revisions to the maximum prize amounts that may be awarded in small games of chance conducted under the act
- Potential adjustments to prize structure (e.g., per-game caps, aggregate prize limits, or tiered prize rules)
- Raffle prize limits:
- Establishment or modification of maximum raffle prizes
- Possible alignment of raffle prize limits with other gaming activities under the act
- Licensing of eligible organizations:
- Updates to eligibility criteria for organizations seeking licenses to conduct small games of chance
- Potential changes to application processes, reporting, and compliance requirements
- Special permits:
- Rules governing the issuance, use, and scope of special permits to conduct games of chance or raffles
- Conditions and duration for temporary or event-specific authorizations
- Distribution of proceeds (club licensees):
- Revisions to how proceeds from licensed games are distributed among club licensees
- Possible allocation rules, minimum distributions to charitable or community purposes, or oversight mechanisms
Who would be affected
- Eligible charitable and community organizations authorized to conduct small games of chance and raffles under the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act
- Club licensees operating under the act
- Local governments and regulatory bodies overseeing licensing, permits, and compliance
- Participants and players in small games of chance and raffles
Procedural and timeline aspects
- The bill would amend existing statute, with changes taking effect on dates specified within the bill (likely upon enactment or staged implementation)
- It may include transitional provisions for organizations currently licensed to conduct games
- Administrative adjustments: licensing processes, reporting requirements, and enforcement provisions could be updated to reflect new rules
Potential impact
- Financial: Changes to prize limits could influence fundraising potential for eligible organizations and clubs; stricter limits may reduce payout amounts but could increase participation, while higher limits could enhance fundraising but raise regulatory scrutiny.
- Operational: Organizations may need to adjust internal controls, reporting, and compliance activities to meet revised licensing and permit requirements.
- Oversight: Enhanced or clarified regulatory framework for special permits and distributions of proceeds, potentially affecting how funds are allocated to charitable purposes.
Note
- The summary reflects the bill’s stated scope based on the title and provided description. Full details, including exact numeric changes (specific prize cap amounts, license thresholds, and procedural timelines), would be available in the bill’s text and fiscal notes once publicly released.
