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HB 2631

An Act amending Title 4 (Amusements) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions relating to gaming, further providing for definitions; and, in interactive gaming, further providing for Internet cafes and prohibition.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marc Anderson and 7 co-sponsors

Expands school property definitions and requires geofenced access controls to block interactive gaming and sports wagering for players on school grounds or inside licensed faciliti

Referred to Gaming Oversight
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2631

Overview

HB 2631 (2025-2026, Pennsylvania) amends Title 4 (Amusements) to modify definitions related to gaming and tightens restrictions on interactive gaming, specifically Internet cafes and related prohibitions. The bill includes new definitions for school entities and school property, and expands geolocation-based access controls to prevent certain users from engaging with interactive games or sports wagering within defined areas.

Main purpose and intent

  • To clarify and expand the definitions used in gaming-related provisions, particularly regarding school-related locations.
  • To strengthen restrictions on access to interactive gaming and sports wagering for specific populations and locations, notably within school properties.

Key provisions and changes

Section 1 — New definitions (Title 4, §1103)

  • Adds two definitions:
    • School entity: Includes a school district, intermediate unit, area career and technical school, charter school, cyber charter school, or regional charter school.
    • School property: Any public school grounds and buildings owned by or under the control of a school entity.

Section 2 — Internet cafes and prohibition (Title 4, §13B63)

  • Amends subsection (c) to require controlled access to interactive gaming and sports wagering:
    • An interactive gaming certificate holder, interactive gaming operator, sports wagering certificate holder, or sports wagering operator must prevent certain individuals from accessing authorized interactive games or sports wagering on their own devices through geospatial technologies.
    • The prevention targets:
    • Registered players within a licensed facility.
    • Registered players located within the boundaries of school property.

Section 3 — Effective date

  • The act is set to take effect 60 days after enactment.

Who is affected

  • Interactive gaming certificate holders and operators: Must implement geospatial access controls to block specified users from accessing games or wagering on their devices while within certain areas.
  • Sports wagering certificate holders and operators: Also subject to these access controls.
  • Registered players: Individuals who are registered with these gaming or wagering entities will be restricted if located within school property or inside licensed facilities.
  • School entities and school properties: The expansion of definitions may influence how gaming activities relate to school grounds and oversight.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Referred to the Gaming Oversight Committee on June 12, 2026.
  • Effective date is 60 days after enactment, suggesting a staggered compliance window for affected entities.

Implications and potential impact

  • Enhanced safeguarding to prevent access to interactive gaming and sports wagering by individuals on school property or within licensed facilities, leveraging geospatial technologies.
  • Clarifies boundaries of where gaming access must be restricted, with explicit inclusion of various types of school entities and their properties.
  • May require technology updates or policy changes by gaming operators and licensees to enforce geofencing and access controls at the device level.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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