Small Games of Chance

The Pennsylvania Local Option Small Games of Chance Act authorizes certain eligible organizations to conduct limited types of gambling. The types of gambling authorized by the act are punchboards, pull-tabs, raffles (including special permit raffles), daily drawings and weekly drawings.

The Department of Revenue is charged with several responsibilities under the act, as follows:

1. Registration of games of chance manufacturers.
2. Reviewing and approving pull-tab games and punchboards for use in the commonwealth.
3. Licensing of distributors to sell games of chance for use in the commonwealth.
4. Receipt and retention of games of chance reports from licensed eligible organizations.
5. Limited regulatory authority related to manufacturer registration, distributor licensing, games of chance, and games of chance records and reports.

On Feb. 2, 2012, Governor Tom Corbett signed into law Act 2 amending the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to create new definitions, increase prize limits, provide additional licensing rules and regulations for organizations and amend enforcement provisions. Review Act 2 of 2012 Small Game of Chance Amendments Detail for more information.

The Department of Revenue has prepared a brief presentation detailing the changes and the department's limited role in administration of small games of chance. The PowerPoint presentation (without voice over) is available under the Small Games of Chance forms listed below.

Questions?

• Questions regarding licensing to conduct small games of chance should be directed to the county treasurer in the county where the organization is located.
• Questions regarding conducting games of chance should be directed to Liquor Control Enforcement at 717-540-7410.
• Questions regarding reporting requirements should be directed to the Department of Revenue at RA-SGOC@pa.gov.