Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB1637

Introduced
6/23/25  

Caption

In riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for gambling devices, gambling, etc.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1637 would lead to changes in state laws concerning how riots and disorderly conduct are handled, likely leading to increased law enforcement jurisdiction and potentially creating new categories of offenses under state law. The efforts to regulate gambling devices may also mean greater oversight of gambling businesses, impacting both operators and participants engaged in gambling activities across the state.

Summary

House Bill 1637 addresses issues related to riot and disorderly conduct as well as the regulation of gambling devices and activities. The bill aims to further define and enhance the legal framework surrounding these offenses, potentially imposing stricter penalties on individuals engaged in riot-related activities. The focus on gambling suggests intentions to tighten control and enforcement mechanisms around gambling operations, aligning them with broader law enforcement strategies.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding the bill appears to be cautious, with varying opinions on its implications. Supporters argue that the measures would foster greater public safety and ensure a more organized approach to managing public disturbances and gambling. Conversely, critics raise concerns over potential overreach and the implications for civil liberties, particularly regarding the enforcement of penalties related to riot behaviors, which could disproportionately affect certain communities.

Contention

Notable points of contention in the debates around HB 1637 revolve around the balance between maintaining public order and safeguarding individual rights. There are concerns that provisions addressing riot-related offenses might lead to inappropriate use of force by law enforcement, while the gambling regulations could face opposition from individuals who advocate for less restrictive policies on personal freedoms in these areas.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB521

In riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for gambling devices, gambling, etc.

PA SB969

In riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for the offense of gambling devices, gambling, etc; and imposing penalties.

PA HB2042

In revenues, providing for audits of Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Trust Fund; in administration and enforcement, further providing for investigations and enforcement; in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in administration, further providing for records and confidentiality of information; in application and licensure, further providing for establishment licenses, for license or permit prohibition, for issuance and renewal and for conditional licenses; in operation, further providing for testing and certification of terminals and for video gaming limitations, providing for hours of operation and further providing for terminal placement agreements and for compulsive and problem gambling; in enforcement, further providing for investigations and enforcement; in revenues, further providing for distribution of local share, for regulatory assessments and for transfers from Video Gaming Fund; in ethics, further providing for political influence; in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for the offense of gambling devices, gambling, etc.; providing for implementation; and making a repeal.

PA SB1142

In revenues, further providing for establishment of State Gaming Fund and net slot machine revenue distribution; adding provisions relating to local gaming terminals by providing for general provisions, for application and licensure, for operation, for enforcement and for revenue; imposing the local gaming terminal tax; establishing the Local Gaming Fund; providing for ethics; in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for the offense of gambling devices, gambling, etc.; in Commonwealth services, establishing the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Programs Fund; prescribing penalties; and making appropriations.

PA SB1263

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in games of chance, further providing for prize limits, for sales limited, for distributor licenses, for registration of manufacturers and for regulations of department; in club licensees, further providing for club licensee and for distribution of proceeds; in enforcement, further providing for revocation of licenses, for local option and for advertising; in tavern gaming, further providing for licenses, for application, for approval, for prize limits, for distribution of net revenue, for tavern games tax, for invoice, for reports and for enforcement.

PA HB2444

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in games of chance, further providing for prize limits and for sales limited, providing for pull-tab deals, further providing for distributor licenses, for registration of manufacturers, for regulations of department and for licensing of eligible organizations; in club licensees, further providing for distribution of proceeds; and, in enforcement, further providing for revocation of licenses and providing for other penalties and for licensed eligible organizations subject to audit by Auditor General.

PA SB706

Providing for skill video gaming; imposing duties on the Department of Revenue; providing for issuance of licenses for skill video gaming; imposing a tax and criminal and civil penalties; and providing for zoning.

PA HB2075

Providing for skill video gaming; imposing duties on the Department of Revenue; providing for issuance of licenses for skill video gaming; imposing a tax and criminal and civil penalties; and providing for zoning.

PA SB806

In general provisions relating to video gaming, further providing for definitions; and, in operation, further providing for video gaming limitations and for compulsive and problem gambling.

PA HB2520

Providing for nonbanking games; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs; and imposing penalties.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.