Pennsylvania Senate votes to raise the weekly prize cap for small games of chance to $60,000
Senate Bill 995 passed 49 to 0 on Oct. 5 and goes to the House. The same day the Senate passed a bill letting clubs keep half their proceeds from the games, up from 40 percent.
Prize limit for small games of chance, per seven days
Harrisburg. The Pennsylvania Senate voted 49 to 0 on Oct. 5 to raise the most a fire company, veterans' group, club or other licensed nonprofit may award in prizes from small games of chance to $60,000 in any seven-day period, from $35,000.
Senate Bill 995, by Sen. Chris Gebhard, a Republican, now goes to the House, which referred it to its Gaming Oversight Committee the same day. A Senate committee had approved it on Sept. 29. The bill would take effect 60 days after it becomes law.
Mr. Gebhard said the cap has not been updated since 2013, despite inflation and the rising cost of the community programs these groups pay for, and that it forces many of them to shut down games once they reach it.
“Organizations like our VFWs, American Legions and fire companies depend on small games of chance to fund youth sports, scholarships, emergency services and support for veterans.”
Clubs would keep half
The Senate also passed Senate Bill 465, by Sen. Dan Laughlin, a Republican, 49 to 0 on Oct. 5, according to the General Assembly's bill history. His office's release, posted Oct. 6, said the bill passed "today"; this story follows the legislature's record.
The bill would let a licensed club keep up to 50 percent of its proceeds from games of chance, up from 40 percent, and lower the share it must spend on public interest purposes within a year to at least 50 percent, from 60 percent. It would apply to calendar years starting after Dec. 31, 2025. It, too, was referred to the House Gaming Oversight Committee.
The rest of the package
Senate Bill 330, by Sen. Michele Brooks, a Republican, was approved in committee with the other two on Sept. 29 but has not had a final Senate vote. It was amended on the floor on Oct. 5. The bill would send 5 percent of the charity half of 50/50 drawings at major league and college sporting events to the State Fire Commissioner's fire company and emergency medical services grant programs; the amendment says the nonprofit conducting the drawing pays that share.
A fourth bill, Senate Bill 416, by Sen. Devlin Robinson, a Republican, would let licensed organizations take card and mobile payments for raffle tickets. It passed the Senate in July 2025. The House amended it again on Oct. 7 and sent it to its Appropriations Committee; because the House changed it, the Senate would have to agree to the new version.
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