Small Games of Chance Licenses |
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Home » Luzerne County » Departments/Agencies » Treasurer » Small Games of Chance Licenses |
| Small Games of Chance Licenses | | The Luzerne County Treasurer’s Office is the exclusive agent for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the issuance of Small Games of Chance Licenses in Luzerne County. In February of 2012, the PA legislature passed amendments to the Small Games of Chance Act of 1988. A summary of the changes appears below. Please call our office at 570.825.1780 if you would like an information packet which will include an application.
Please click here to see the revised Small Games of Chance Act Small Games of Chance Revised Act of 2012.
Changes in Small Games of Chance Pursuant to Act 2 of 2012 Act 2 of 2012, signed by Governor Corbett on February 2, 2012, became effective on March 3, 2012 and brings many changes to Small Games of Chance. The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has reviewed the new law and working with the Governor’s Office prepared a Primer that explains the new rules and regulations. This memorandum is intended to provide you with some basic information regarding the new application process, operation of games, including new increased game limits, and recordkeeping required by the law. It is strongly encouraged to have an officer of your organization download or otherwise obtain a copy of Act 2 of 2012 to be kept with the organization’s permanent records. Following are a few of the new provisions to keep in mind when applying or re applying for a Small Games of Chance license. - Application and Background Checks. Each application requires the results of a criminal records background check from the PA. State Police. This requirement will be for the President or Executive Officer, and the Secretary of the eligible organization making the application for a license, along with any other person required by the Department pursuant to the regulations the Department is authorized to issue. THE CERTIFICATE RECEIVED FROM THE PA STATE POLICE SHALL BE ATTACHED TO THE APPLICATION.
The organization can contact the PA State Police Headquarters in their district for an application or go online to: www.psp.state.pa.us and click on Public Services. There is a fee for completing the background check. - Increases in Prize Limits
- Individual prize limit increases from $500 to $1,000
- The weekly prize limitation is now known as the aggregate prize limit, which increased from $5,000 to $25,000 in any 7-day period.
- Raffle limit increases from $5,000 to $10,000 in any calendar month.
- There is a total limit-all prizes awarded shall be subject to the aggregate prize limit of $25,000
- There is still an exception for raffles; if you exceed the prize limit value of $1,000. The total limit for exception still remains at $100,000. Organizations that wish to raffle a prize or prizes in excess of $1,000 need to apply for a Special Raffle Permit. Organizations may now receive eight Special Raffle Permits (instead of two) and ten for Fire, Ambulance, & Rescue Companies (as long as not a Club). However, Fire, Ambulance & Rescue Companies can award an added $50,000 beyond the $100,000 for special raffles.
- The daily drawing carryover is increased from $500 to $1,000 and the weekly drawing carryover is increased from $5,000 to $25,000 consistent with the increased prize limits.
- Auxiliary Groups of a licensed organization can conduct games using the license of the eligible organization as long as they were listed on the application form. Auxiliary groups are not eligible to obtain a license.
- All licensed eligible organizations must keep a separate bank account holding the proceeds of the games of chance which is separate from other funds belonging to the eligible organization.
- Each eligible organization shall submit an annual report to the Department of Revenue including prizes awarded and the amounts expended for “public interest purposes”.
- Beginning in 2013, a club licensee shall submit semi annual reports to the Department of Revenue for the preceding six month period on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Department. This report must be attached to the application for a club license. Proceeds from games can now be split 70% for the public interest purpose and 30% for operations. This spilt only applies to Clubs with limitations on the operations side as defined by the Act.
Finally, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has changed the application to reflect that Social Security numbers for all Officers and persons responsible for the operations of Small Games of Chance are now optional. However, a date of birth field has been added to the application. |
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Last Updated: 03/09/12 14:48:01
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