The House Gaming Oversight Committee held an informational meeting in Harrisburg last week with the state police’s Bureau of Liquor Code Enforcement (LCE) to clear up the misinformation and confusion that have resulted from recent updates to the state’s Small Games of Chance Act, according to State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129).
Although the LCE specifically enforces the Small Games of Chance law for nonprofit organizations that also hold liquor licenses, the information presented also benefits other community groups that offer raffles, drawings and other small games of chance, such as fire companies, fair associations and sports boosters.
The meeting was based on an informational workshop the bureau has held in various regions of the Commonwealth to educate nonprofit organizations about changes in the law and to update them on the original Small Games of Chance law.
The LCE reported that the majority of questions posed by nonprofit groups – such as which games are permitted under the law – deal with the original act and not the changes made by Act 2 of 2012.
Updates made to the law last year increased prize limits and payouts and also allows nonprofit groups, such as VFW and American Legion posts, to retain 30 percent for operating expenses with 70 percent for public interest purposes.